Ironman St. George

First off I just want to say that I am horrible at this blog keeping thing, especially since my last post was almost 6 months ago :S Sorry! But now that school is out maybe I'll do better, no guarantees though haha.

Okay so please someone remember to slap me if I ever decide to actually do an Ironman (in my mind it sounds like a good goal and kinda fun, even after seeing it). These athletes are ridiculously AMAZING!!!!!!! What they put their body's and minds through blows my mind! I sincerely congratulate anyone who participates in one of them, even more so the finishers. I loved watching, cheering, supporting, helping, and being a part of the inaugural Ford Ironman St. George this past Saturday. It was a blast!!! A.J. and I had the opportunity to be a part of the T2 team, which is the transition from bike to run. We were the sunscreen station. Yeah yeah everyone else felt so bad for us because we got stuck with one of the "sucky" and "worst" jobs, but I absolutely, 100% LOVED it! It was such a remarkable experience. Reasons why T2 sunscreen was the best: 1) We were the first to see the athletes coming out of the change tent, which means that we were the first to cheer them on for the marathon ;) 2) We were actually able to interact and have a conversation with the athletes. This was probably the best part! It blew me away how thankful, happy, and apprecitive every single athlete was. Each one, even if they didn't stop, said thank you. Now keep in mind that they have already swam 2.4 miles and biked 112 miles on what is said to be the toughest course for any Ironman, now they have to go run an entire marathon (26.2 miles). If I were them, talking and thinking would be the last thing on my mind, but most would stop and even joke around with us as we were sunscreening them. The comments helped me always have a smile on my face. We heard a little bit of everything: "Whoa it's like a NASCAR pitstop here," "Maybe I'll just stay here, this is the best massage ever," "Do you wanna do another layer? I need to stall!" Haha there were a few guys that figured out the real reason some of the girls were there "You know you like this" or "You got the good deal cuz I'm a really hot guy" We were all enterained and laughing with the athletes. Their positive attitudes were in just as good of shape as their body's are....AMAZING!!!! A.J. and I have both been helping with the STG Marathon for several years and were constantly comparing the Ironman to it. I'll just say now that there really isn't a fair comparison. While I love helping with the marathon, the Ironman blew it away!!! I think our opportunity to interact with the athletes was a huge part of that. During the marathon they are so worn out and many frustrated that you might get a thank you as they run buy, but every athlete here was in a great mood and was sincere in their thanking. It made us, as volunteers, feel needed and appreciated. It was so nice! I still can't figure out how they still had so much energy. They had already accomplished so much but still had to run over 26 miles, but they didn't even seem tired. It was unbelievable!!! 3) It once again proved to me how much I love nursing!!! And that nursing is the right thing for me. I loved being able to help them and cheer them on! 4) I got a free shirt, free food...twice, and can now get a free massage :) Yay! Monday night there was a volunteer banquet where we got free food again, watched videos, and won prizes. I won a free 1 hour massage to Massage Envy. I can't wait, I'm so excited!!! 5) I can say that I am a part of Ironman history! I am a part of the inagural race of Ford's Ironman St. George. I witnessed course history in the making, I was able to watch the first male and female finishers, I saw the course records being set. I not just watched all of it, I was a piece of it!

It was a blast and I can't wait to do it again next year!!! I just want to take the time to again to congratulate all of those who competed, even more so to the finishers. You are all my heroes!!!! What you put your mind and body through is amazing. You have accomplished the most grueling course on earth and are an achiever. You have great reason to be proud. Congratulations!!!!