What do you say to an Ironman?

bryancd - 2011-06-21 2:32 PM I think just a 'congrtaulations" would be fine.

Agree. If you say "good job" and the person's hopes and dreams were just crushed because they missed the life-long goal, it wouldn't really make them feel any better.

Better yet, don't say anything...just put a cold towel/water/beer/pizza in their hand and scoot them along :-)

Never volunteered at that position but I would imagine they will give you some pointers.

One of the jobs of a catcher will be to evaluate the physical and mental state of the finisher so you'll probably have to ask questions to get the person talking.

bryancd - 2011-06-21 2:32 PM I think just a 'congrtaulations" would be fine.

^^^This...and perhaps, "Can I get you anything?"  Thanks for volunteering - it's what makes the difference for the event.

this ^^^

or even a simple "are you ok?'  then on to the next one.

How bout:

You rock!

You are an Ironman!

Looking good! (Wait . . don't use that lie).

bryancd - 2011-06-21 1:32 PM I think just a 'congrtaulations" would be fine.

How do you pronounce that bolded word??

Nice effort, now please increase the security on your Jericho missile line.

or

Pepper Potts is totally the girl for you, she's in the beer tent.

Congratulate them on their day.

I think asking "Are you OK?" when someone obviuosly isn't is a dumb question.  It's like when I whack my head on something and my wife asks, "Are you OK?".   "NO I'm not OK I just whacked my head!!!"   I've kidded her enough about that the proper question is now "Are you going to be OK?"  

I have been high fived by catchers, I've been literally caught, I've been directed to the medical tent, I've had them stay with me until I found my family.  Most of the time I've been pretty OK at the finish line.

But when I was racing the last few miles of my 3rd IMAZ, sick and falling apart, only force of will kept me going. Five feet after the finish line, that was gone and so was I.  Spent.  Drained.  It was a massive come-down.  For more than an hour all I could think about was moving forward. 

When I was disoriented like that it was a comfort to have the catcher with me.  It didn't matter he was a stranger - for a few minutes I had someone looking out for me and just me, and was honestly interested in making sure I was in good hands.  It only took me a few minutes to get back to normal and for my wife to find me, and I didn't need medical, but I'm very thankful he was with me.

"sorry you were disqualified on the swim, theres always next year !!"

dp

Agree ^^^ I caught people after a 55KM XC ski race.  I remember several frozen faced people that looked and acted like zombies still wanting to ski in the chutes.  Your key job is to try and identify those who are not OK and confirm this by asking them some questions to see if they they have cognative ability by answering you or being able to focus on you.  If they can't hang with them and guide them to medical or food.  There should be a second layer of help behind you

My catcher was pretty direct.

"What do you need?"

Funny though, as witty as I like to think I am, I couldn't think of anything better than "to sit down"

We'll be volunteering, too!  I'll be catching at the finish line and my wife will be handing out awards from 9PM to 12AM. 

Im sure that everybody will be caught up in the whole experience and the right things to say will just come to you.

or you can try, "Somebody stole your bike while you were gone."

"Your family left a while ago...you need a ride somewhere?"