TriSupporter

Where are we now?

Okay so it's been a week. And I haven't posted anything new. It's been a rough week....exhausting... exhiliarating... beyond expectations. Not only about Ironman but because I had to make decisions about big changes in my career. So, I know I owe several posts on the day before the race, the race recap, post race, etc. I'm getting to those. Really...I am.

Real quick...Congrats to Rianman's Iron Harem: Kat, Kerri, Val. Also to Monty who stuck it out like a Ironman does, and all the others who finished. You were all amazing and so were all the people who started but didn't have the day they wanted. 

So where are we today...both of us are feeling back in the swing of regular life... sort of. We arrived home on Tuesday evening to a fantastic greeting from our neighbors Joe and Erin. They really did up the front of our house so that all our neighbors probably wondered what the heck Rianman had done.

   

We struggled to work on Wednesday feeling both tired and maybe a little down from the high wewere feeling from the race. I don't think we were expecting the crash...it was sort of like..."What now?" Rian wasn't working out (per Coach Ken). It was a weird work week. We no longer had this big goal we were working towards or looking forward to. It was unexpected and we didn't know how to get through it. We both couldn't wait for the weekend. 

On Friday we went to have a drink with our friends Mark and Missy and it was great reliving the race and other big news (I'm starting a new job in October). On Saturday after sleeping in for the first time in ages (well not so much for me but for Rianman), we finally tackled the basement. It has been a project I've been waiting to start. We didn't organize so much as we had to deal with some unwanted house guests...well they've been evicted and we just needed to clean up after them. We do NOT want new tenants.

I think it definitely takes the following weekend to get back to real life. For 6 months, everything has been about the Ironman. Training, training, training. Maybe that's why Coach Ken insists on a marathon in the fall after an Ironman.

I do think we're still in the wake of the big event cause we can't help saying things like:

"A week ago right now I was coming out of the water."

"A week ago right now you were starting the bike."

"A week ago right now we were at Mt Horeb High waiting for you to pass us by for the 2nd time."

A week ago Rianman was not even half into the biggest challenge of his life. A week ago we didn't know if he would finish. He didn't know if HE would finish. We didn't know how we would react or what it would mean for him to finish.

None of us knew what was to come and how memorable that day would be to each of us. We each probably take something different away from it. Awe for the people who attempt it. Thrill for those who finish. Heartbreak for the people who didn't. Rianman is the Ironman but it changed all of us.

September 7, 2008 9:33:03pm Rian became an Ironman

He did it!!! More details to come!!

Ironman Rian

Ironman Rian
Originally uploaded by natalieandrian

Ironman Wisconsin Day 2

Yesterday was Friday, our second day here. Mary arrived to the airport at 1:00 am. I picked her up but not after I was stopped by a cop for turning right on a red-right-turn arrow--oops. He asked if I knew why he stopped me..."uh, no. I was just trying to make sure I wasn't going down a one-way the wrong way." He was nice (didn't give me a ticket) and told me how to get to the airport. There were NO signs. We got in around 1:45 am...very tired.

All day it was just Mary, Ri-guy and me. While Mary slept in, I went with Ri-guy to the swim at Law Park (the official swim start) around 8:00 am. It was already pretty full and you could tell there was some excitement in the air...or nervous energy. Athletes were pulling on their wetsuits, chatting with others, and supporters were milling about watching bags for those who didn't check them with the Gatorade tent. It was pretty chilly but okay with a sweatshirt. The lake water was warm which surprised many swimmers given it rained the entire day before.

Per Coach Ken's plan, Ri-guy swam for 30 minutes and got some markers for sighting while in the chaos of what will be the swim portion. We then walked back to the hotel and on the way stopped at the Capitol Starbucks where we luckily missed some insane rush. When we left, the line was out the door. The cool thing is they will be open at 4:30 am on race day...thank god!!!

We went to Marigold Kitchen for breakfast and apparently so did all the other athletes and family. It was awesome and highly recommended. After we went to browse the Expo. We spent a bit of money on items only for me...Ri-guy won't buy anything till the finisher's store opens at 7am on Monday morning...superstitious I guess.

We bumped into Susan and Monty from KC a number of times...it's so good to see familiar faces. Go Monty!!! We figured out how to get our extra carbo meal ticket and gave it Susan to enjoy so Mary and I could go to dinner together.

As we explored the Expo and Marketplace, Mary and I spent about 15 minutes trying to come up with an electronic message that displays during mile 8 and 22 or so of the run. It's triggered by the timing chip...it's a great idea and I highly recommend doing it. It's supposed to be inspirational or motivational for the athlete...problem is you only have 25 total characters including spaces AND their bib number. Try to come up with an inspirational message in about 18 characters...it ain't easy! The funny thing is...I can't remember what we wrote!

After that Mary and I went to the Janus tent to make signs. They have yard signs that you can make that will be placed around the run route as well as paper signs with wood sticks...perfect addition to our other signs we're making. When we got back to the hotel, sherpa duties required a bit of planning and organizing of gear bags.

 

We ended the day with Ri-guy going to the carbo dinner and mandatory meeting with his girls Kat, Kerri, and Val. Go girls!!! Mary and I went to Harvest...terrific restaurant on the Capitol Square. Ri-guy joined us for dessert...he didn't have any.

Thus ended Day 2 of Ironman Wisconsin for TriSupporter. It was a great day. Fun...interesting...long...and best ended on a bottle of Malbec with a great friend.

Ding, Ding.

PS: Tomorrow is Race Day...Ri-guy is 1039...Good luck Ri-guy..Kat..Kerri...Val...Monty...and ALL the other athletes both first-timers and experienced!! All the best to the TriSupporters!!

Ironman Wisconsin Registration

Today (well it is midnight so yesterday) was the first day of registration. After our rain soaked drive,   we went to Monona Terrace while the crowds were nearly non-existant. I don't know what Friday will bring but I expect it'll be a lot busier than it was today.

Tip #1: Try to get in on Thursday to register. Almost no waiting.

So I decided to try to document the process of registration. We had no idea what to expect so maybe this will help someone in the future.  

When you enter the convention center, you'll see a lot of volunteers and they are all friendly and helpful.

Step 1: Proving who you are and showing your USAT card or buying a day pass. You'll be marked with a bingo-type ink dot on your hand.

Step 2: Walk to the opposite side of the hall, wait in line, and get your waiver.

Step 3: Go downstairs and complete the waiver (will you allow family to know your medical info, emergency contact, etc) at a number of table with pens. Tip #2: Bring a pen to Step 2 and you'll save time at step 3.

Step 4: (I suppose this is part of Step 3). Go and get weighed. They'll record your weight on the waiver...I guess this is confirm Clydesdales???? Or, so they know how much you weighed before you need the IVs in medical after the race???

Step 5: Get your bib numbers, packet with gear bags, and chip. You'll also get your swim cap and some vendor flyers and we got a license plate frame for IMoo. Don't forget to buy or pick up the carbo load dinner tickets right after the chip pickup table. The dinner sells out for non-athletes.

 

That's it. As you leave, you are presented with your first major opportunity to spend money. You can choose to buy your offical photo packages. They start at $95 I think. We decided to wait till after and buy the digitial files so we can have them as we want.

You can then make your way upstairs to the Ironman Marketplace where there is all kinds, and I do mean, ALL kinds of Ironman products. There are dog leads, racing kits, socks, trailer hitch covers...just imagine and it is there. Ri-guy wouldn't buy anything cause well he's not an Ironman yet.

Tip #3: Wait till 7 am, Monday morning to hit the store when the finishers products are out. And when I say 7 am...be there at 7 am. We hear lines form and if you want finishers stuff...you gotta be there.

After Ri-guy worked out for about an hour and a half in the hotel gym, we ended our night with dinner at a Mexican restuarant on State. Ri-guy napped as we waited to pick up our friend Mary who was forever delayed flying into Madison...finally arriving at 12:50 am!!

Day 1 is over. Another day closer to THE RACE!

Driving to Madison!

You have new Picture Mail!
Originally uploaded by natalieandrian

This was taken somewhere between Des Moines and Iowa City. I used window marker to write on the passenger side window...Chasing M Dot. It's a dreay, rainy day from Kansas City to Madison...never letting up. As we arrived to the Best Western Inn on the Park in downtown Madison around 2 pm, we rushed to unload the car and get to registration at Monona Terrace. More to come on that...

Wow..we're here!!

Happy Birthday

ironman cake
Originally uploaded by natalieandrian

Today is Ri-guy's birthday...well, it's mine too. But yesterday we had a surprise birthday and an Ironman Wisconsin good luck party for him at Spin Pizza. Here's his cake (thanks to Robin at Sublime Slice). It was yummy too!

Bib 1039

That's it. It's official...Rian has a bib number assigned. Looks like he's doing this thing. Last week, Ironman sent emails to those registered that if they weren't coming and didn't want a bib number, they should let them know.

So on Saturday, Rian got his bib number for Ironman Wisconsin...1039. I think that's a pretty nice number...I find it rolls off the tongue fairly easily. I think I can shout - "ten, thirty-nine" or 'ten three nine" so he knows it is me.

He won't miss any of his supporters though...we're wearing gold t-shirts, carrying tiger tails, organge posters, and shaking gold and purple pom poms. If he doesn't see us, he's not looking.

So, in one week, 1039 will hopefully be a more than a number but a finisher...an Ironman...my Ironman. 

Doesn't he look ready???