What do you say to an Ironman? (Page 2)

I have the 2nd shift - 6 to 9.

Since you're 2nd shift, I would suggest telling them the really fast talented guys/gals finished a couple hours ago and are already back in the hotel having a beer. 

"One more lap to go!  <just kidding>"

Or maybe "honey badger don't care if you're tired" (I've been following the Cd'A thread)

Glad I wasn't drinking when I read that, made me laugh out loud!!

"It's about damn time!  What took you so long?  What'd you do, lay down and take a nap?!"

or maybe just, "Good job ironman!"

I'm catching the last shift at IMMOO this year.  I'll have to think of some good questions to assess cognitive reasoning.  Something cow related like:

A man has an acreage where grass grows continuously and evenly. If 20 cows eat all the grass in 96 days and 30 cows eat all of the grass in 60 days, then how long does it take 70 cows to eat all of the grass?

(riddle stolen from the Inet, I'm not really that smart)

I've done finish line catcher multiple times at IM. We were never given much instructions other than catch them, keep out of the camera, and stay to the side while you wait.

I would say congratulations Ironman. If they were chatty, ask how their day was, or if they look bad ask them how they are feeling. I'd prep them on the finish line process....we are going to get your medal, then t-shirt what size do you think you want...tell the women they are men's sizes only if that is the case and know if they are cotton or tech shirts and how they run size wise..women often ask, then hat then head over to the finish line photo area. May ask who is waiting for them and do they know where to find them. Point them in the direction of finish line food and tell them where to find massage. Sharing information they need to know will be helpful.

Some athletes will want to tell you about their day, others will blow you off and not want any help. You'll get the hang of it in no time. Really it is an amazing way to connect to athletes and get little snippets of IM day from many people.

Strangest finish line comment, one women maybe in her mid 30s yelled very loudly, yes I beat my ex husband's time as soon as she crossed the finish line....there was a story there I didn't want to hear.

I worked the finish at IMKY last year and had a blast.  Food and Medical were about a block away and we were instructed to escort them there.  Their full name was on the race number so I would just say something like "Congratulations Jane Doe, you made it Ironman!  My name is Brian and will be here to help you for the next few minutes.  Is there anything you need?" 

There are a few stops along the way out of the finish chute including a photo op, shirt pickup and then typically you can help guide them to their family.  At that point I would just walk them to Medical and ensure thier needs were meet and they knew where to find everything. 

It typically took about 5-10 minutes to escort one Finisher out of the chute and to the Convention Center for recovery.  Some took longer than others and if they needed medical attention at the finish we stayed with them.  One guy finished and immediately began to puke, I had to hold him up while he evacuated the contents of his stomach and we got him a wheelchair.  Wheeled him through to the photo op place where I helped him up and let go just long enough for his photo, which he insisted on and then grab him again before he collapsed into a pile on the ground.  Nice guy and stopped back by about an hour later after some IV fluids to say thanks along with his Wife. 

Let's try to get the time down a bit for next year, m'kay?

"I'm sorry sir but you missed the 4th run lap - you need to go back out and finish it"

My catcher told me his name and asked me how I was feeling. He made sure to make eye contact and then walked me through my picture and beyond.

He kept talking and I could tell he was watching me pretty closely and judging my responses. I only appreciated later how attentive he had been.

Please don't do funny; it will only confuse the finishers! 

i think i would like to hear a "congrats" and "can i get you anything"

then list the things that you can get cause i might be able to think of anything on my own.

One thing I said that some really liked. "Stop your garmin"

I like what my 4 yr old daughter said to my wife after her almost DFL HIM in 90 degree heat: 

 "Mommy, you really stink!"  We laughed our a$$ off. 

LMAO.  That is hilarious.  Nothing like kids to lightened the mood.

My wife volunteered as a finish line catcher at CdA 2 years ago and was able to come back and catch me when I finished later than planned.  She knew I'd crashed on the bike, but nothing beyond that except that I was able to continue biking and running.  She knew I was going to the medical tent, so walked me through the hat-shirt-medal line (we skipped the photo until I came out of medical). 

Pretty much "Congratulations, you finished!" is a great start whether they hit their goal time or not.  An athlete who doesn't want that comment will show it in his/her demeanor.