When Life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade!
the Ironman in Hawaii was to be my penultimate race! I had received an entry through Challenged Athletes foundation 3 weeks before Ironman Couer D'Alene. Pressure was off! The only stipulation was that I had to raise a predetermined amount of money.
Late August/early September, I was far from my fundraising goal. Economic stresses on the country and personally kept me from devoting the time and energy necessary to raise the needed funds.
So 3 weeks before Hawaii, CAF pulled the slot. they can use it over the next few years, so it made sense for someone else.
Since it happened so late, it would have cost more to unwind all the reservations than to go, so Paula and I headed to Hawaii. Paula had already signed up to work medical during the race since i was going to be busy racing. when the entry got pulled, I volunteered for the day.
I have participated in 6 ironman events, dozens of 1/2 ironman's and even more Olympic distance races, but never had i volunteered to work one. It was frustrating to not be racing, but it was probably one of the best days ever. Helping other athletes at the World Championships was an awesome experience.
I arrived at 4:30am to help the athletes check their bikes, pump up their tires, what ever they needed. the air of anticipation was apapable in the air, in their voices, in their walk. Months, years of preparation was finally here and now they jsut wanted to get going!
when everyone was finally in the water and the canon went off, Paula and I had a great view of the whole thing. it was incredible.
Once the athletes head off, we then had to get ready for mthem to come back and head out on their bikes, Paula headed to the Medical tent for her job and I was positioned in the bike area to direct athletes to their bikes. 1780 athletes started the day.
As the atheltes started to come back, it was fast and furious. One athlete came running by me after doning his bike gear and yelled, "OH NO, I forgot my sunglasses!" Without a moments hesitation, I gave him my pair of glasses, which I use for cycling and running all the time! He took them and took off. I didn't see his number and never saw him again. Hopefully those glasses will serve him well and he will never forget how he got them!
Back to the race, after most bikers left transition, I wandered over to the swim finish to watch the last few athletes try and finish under the 2 hr and 20 minute cutoff. there were just a few left and 1 swimmer who had a heat transplant just missed the cutoff by 8 seconds. It was a gut wrenching tear jerking moment, when he was told he couldn't continue, but i am sure he will be back!