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ShannonG
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Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 4858
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 Posted: 08/29/05 - 13:04 Post subject: my Ironman Experience
Yesterday we went to Penticton to watch Ironman Canada. It was my first time.
It was after dinner that the emotion really ran high. At Penticton at the tail end of the run course you come back into Penticton and have to run right past the finish, all brightly lit with screaming, cheering crowds, and do a 5k out and back along the lake. The turnaroud is dark, and desolate, you can't even see the finish and there is absolutely no one out there for several hundred metres. We set up camp right there and screamed and yelled and clapped for every soul that came through for as long as we could. This was around the 14-15 hour finishing time, most folks were walking, and I was just overwhelmed by the strength of the human spirit for these people to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and finish the day. Many thanked us for being there and asked how much farther.
Things I saw; a very large man who if I met on the street would brand as sedentary going out on the run looking strong and confident, overtaking younger, fitter, healthier looking people who were walking.
A lady with 75+ written on her calf going out on the run looking like she was taking an easy jog through the park.
People being encouraged in to the finish by friends, family, people running alongside them, clapping, cheering, crying.
Lots of ladies crying openly as they ran the last 100 meters to the finish.
People wearing custom t-shirts that said IRONFRIEND, IRONMAMA, I KNOW #408. Great stuff.
A husband and wife team crossing the finish line holding hands.
A runner I thought for sure was going to drop going out to the turnaround recover on the stretch to the finsih that I almost didn't recognize him when he went past me again.
Just a great, great day. At this point in my life, I can admit I'm not that tough. Someday I hope to be able to call myself an IronPerson. But for now I just stand in awe and ongoing respect of people who already are.
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