TriSupporter

Planning Ahead

So I just blocked my work calendar for September 7 and 10 because we'll be in Madison for another Ironman Wisconsin. This time we'll be cheering on Marcus and Bob as they journey to their first Ironman on September 9th. We can't wait to be there on the helix, at Mt Horeb, at the Union and at the Finish!!

What I really want to block on my calendar is the vacation we're all taking in October to celebrate!!

Ding Ding!

IMOO 2011

For the first time in four years Rianman and I are not in Madison during IMOO weekend and I think we're a bit sad. For all our friends who are racing tomorrow, have a great race...enjoy it. Monty, Kat, Anne, Kristin kick butt!

We'll be watching and cheering from afar.

Starbucks welcomes Ironman

IMOO 2010 Here we come

Bike tune up - check
Race day gear bag - check and double-check
Workout clothes bag - check
Cold weather clothes bag - check
Non-race clothes - check
Reservations for dinner - check
Chairs in a bag - check
Dog sitter - check
TriSupporter SWAG - check
Checklist on iPad - check

Just need to gas up and load the car and we're on our way...Chasing Ironman Again

1300

That's Rianman's bib number for Ironman Wisconsin. I guess there's no going back now. I plan on using Twitter again to send updates during the race. Now how do I Tweet again???

The work to prep has already started. An initial packing list was created this past weekend while Rianman watched people cross the finish line at IM Louisville. He assures me he will not be needing to do any overnight orders from Hammer or TriSports or anywhere else for that matter. Check back to see if that holds up.

This weekend we pack. My goal is to get it all ready so that on Thursday morning at 5:30 am, we just load the car and move out without a second thought. Keeping my fingers crossed the plan goes off without a hitch.

Counting down, ding ding.

 

Counting down. Already?

Okay it's a bit early to start counting down but IMOO is getting close. Reservations are made for the pre-race dinner. Also, I just ordered the special Team Rianman t-shirts. The good news for those cheering Rianman on is that they will not be wearing a neon color. And for the men, we didn't go with pink. After much debate (really more than was necessary - thanks Mary for your input), we decided on a color that people can wear and should be easy to spot both en masse and individually. Let me just say that deciding on a color involved 11 sample designs, reviewing photos from past IMOOs to see what color stood out in a crowd, and coin flips. Yes, the final color was decided on the flip of a coin. It was tails and Iris Blue lost.

Sorry, but the reveal for the shirts will come later. For now just know that it is another movie reference.

Ding Ding

Shouldn't you be riding?

Rianman and Kat joined about a gazillion triathletes, apparently all from Ilinois, ride the IMWI bike route yesterday. At about 11 I got this picture via text. Do you think all the others were posing with pigs? 

Madison Cycling

I didn't realize the Chicago Olympic planners were proposing Madison for the cycling. Guess it's not just loved by Ironman.

From the NY Times

Sports

Left Out of Olympics, Wisconsin Roads Still Lure Cyclists

By KEITH MULVIHILL

Published: July 27, 2010

A road course was part of Chicago’s failed Olympic bid, but riders know there is a lot of great cycling there.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/sports/cycling/28wisconsin.html

IMOO Volunteering??

Volunteer sign ups for the 2010 IMWI is May 7th at noon. If you want to strip wetsuits, slather buff athletes with sunscreen, or pass out water to the 2000 people attempting to do what few can do, then sign up now so you can register on Friday.

Go to the Ironman Wisconsin volunteer page for more information. You have to first register to volunteer, confirm your registration, then on May 7th at noon, be at the ready to log in and sign up for your favorite spot. Last year you may recall Rianman, Jodie, and me signed up as body markers which turned out to be a great experience. Yes, you get up really early to do it but you get 30 seconds to be one-on-one with a person who is nervous, excited, quiet, chatty, and all other emotions. Maybe they are attempting Ironman for the first time after extreme personal challenges or maybe a pro - yes they have to be body marked too!

So, even if you aren't looking to get in the early line for registering for 2011 (which might be the last IMOO), volunteering is worth it.

Ironman Wisconsin 2009 Recap - really long

What a weekend! We arrived in Madison on Friday evening and settled in our hotel, The Edgewater (not bad but not close enough for me) and headed out to dinner a Sardine - highly recommended, make sure you check it out the next time you're in Madison.

The Day Before

On Saturday we headed over to Monona Terrace for our volunteer meeting at 8am. If you recall, Rianman, Jodie (TriSupporter extraordinaire), and I choose to body mark (more about that later). We and 3400 other volunteers met to get our instructions, get our t-shirts, and for those who wanted to register for 2010, a wristband. Our volunteer captain reminded us in a not-too-friendly way that she too was a volunteer and she was up early when one of the group started wise-cracking. Ouch. She also insisted that we were to only write actual ages on both arms and the calf--many of us questioned this but she insisted. Okay, what can you do when the captain says jump...you jump.  The final blow came when she told us there was a mix up in the tshirts and there weren't enough large and extra larges. This of course meant people wanted to start grabbing at shirts and she lost total control when she said she had to save some sizes for those who couldn't make the meeting. Huh? They don't have to come but they get first choice? That did not fly with the two Ironman brothers from Illinois. They shot back and the promptly took their shirts. At which point I grabbed a Large  for me and Medium for Jodie. Rianman got an Extra Small. Hot huh?

 

After we left our orientation, we hit Marigold Kitchen our favorite breakfast spot in Madison; I NEVER leave Madison without visiting at least once. We then split up for most of the day so we could see our friends. We finally met up late in the afternoon with Joel, Steve, and Joel's daughter Kaitlyn. Saturday might meant sharing an Italian dinner with Kat and Stacy for Kat's pre-race dinner. Can I just say, Kat had a beer! Really. Rianman hardly had a beer all summer before IMOO 2008. Who's the stud? After dinner, we all headed back to our respective rooms for some good sleep before our 4 am wake up calls.

Race Day

4 am again. We're up, showered and at the body marking station by 4:40. No, Rianman did NOT wear the extra small shirt. He wore the large and I pinned the XS to my shirt--the green didn't match the only shorts I brought--a kelly green pair--I wasn't going to wear any size in that color shirt! There were a lot of volunteers and at first, I thought, too many of us as athletes only trickled in. But then, then crush of athletes arrived and there were definitely enough of us. Oh, I have to say this...remember when we all questioned why were writing the age in 3 locations when NO other tri does this? Well, after about 10 athletes were marked, the captain informed us that in fact we were to write the bib number on the arms and the age or P for Pro on the calf. DUH!! So, sorry to the handful of athletes that will never find their photos.

Things I learned body marking

Let me just say that body marking is the BEST. First, it's early and you're free to watch the swim start. Second, you get to use a really big Sharpie. Finally, you HAVE to touch some very, very well-toned, no, strong arms.

• Men are easier than women - there is just more real estate to write big numbers on
• Shaving is a real plus--writing on hairy shoulders or legs is tough
• It is NOT possible to write clearly without holding onto the person--really. I swear. 
• Some bodies are easier to write on than others and the biggest muscles are NOT easiest cause they are too well-developed. Smooth skin and toned arms is the key. 
• No matter what they tell you, most are nervous because many of them have a hard time telling your their age--it's like they just forget.
• A Pro does not want his or her age on his or her leg, a P will do nicely, thank you very much!
• You make a connection with some athletes and you end up cheering them on all day and you feel for those who didn't make it, at least on this attempt

TriSupporting

Once Rianman, Jodie and I finished our volunteer obligations which I must say I LOVED, we tried to find a spot to watch the swim. We headed to the top of the Monona Terrace garden and squeezed ourselves between others; Joel and his two daughters came out to cheer. It was of course a blast and invigorating and inspiring. It was made all the better when I reflected on how much less stressed I was than the previous year when Rianman was in that mass of arms and legs.

 

Jodie had her athletes to cheer so while she did a little cheering at T1, Rianman and I went to breakfast then the three of us took off for Mt. Horeb High School. Our whole day was essentially a redux of last year. Once there, we saw Monty, Chelsea, Kat, Trish, Laura, Beth and the memorable athletes we marked.  It was warm so we felt for the athletes; there was no breeze and few clouds. It was a good 10 degrees warmer than last year and I think it made a difference. We had one guy stop and ask for salt tabs. He ended up laying down for 20 minutes. We were nervous for him but he said he felt better and started back on the bike. Rianman took down his number just to follow up.  Add one more to cheer for.

Once we saw our athletes pass us twice on the bike, we headed back to Madison to sit ourselves at the Union--it's a great spot because you see your athlete twice in about 15 minutes and then again on their 2nd loop when they really need to see you. And, it is not so crowded (don't y'all go there next year). We did get to see Hillary Biscay pass by - she won last year and came in third this year. Very exciting. We saw our athletes pass by and all looked good. Monty was taking it easy but had a great attitude. Chelsea was kicking some serious ass while Kat and Trish ran together and met - how fun is that? We also saw the guy from earlier who needed the salt tabs--he was running and he recognized us! He looked great and we learned he finished!! We also cheered on a couple other KC Multisporters including Todd who I body marked.

(Kat and Trish running - I tried to get a better shot)

Once we saw Trish pass with her brother Tim running along side (Tim is a super supporter - holy cow, he ran all over town for Chelsea and Trish and when I say ran, I mean he actually ran. He needs to bring a bike next time.), we made our way back to the finish line to see them all cross. We also heard the unfortunate news that Monty had to pull out at 13.1 miles. He was cramping and eventually ended up at the ER on Sunday night. Lest anyone think becoming an Ironman isn't hard or dangerous or should be taken lightly is just wrong. This shit is hard. We witnessed the results of crashes, a guy vomiting just 20 yards from us, men and women crying, people limping and grabbing at leg cramps and side stitches, and the lonely looks on many faces as they walked by with 6 long miles to go.

At the finish line, we watched in anticipation and heard Mike Reilly announcing each Ironman. Let me tell you, that NEVER gets old. People are so happy to come into that chute and spectators are screaming and cheering happily and relieved to see their athlete achieve a dream; the lights are bright and the music is loud. We watched as Laura, Kat and Trish crossed as well as so many we watched and cheered all day. It was a great day and hope next year will be another great year, now that Rianman has signed up. Yup, we'll do it all again.

Congratulations to all the athletes--don't forget to thank your TriSupporters!