This was my first Half Ironman, and it was a LOT of fun! I think the things that made it the most fun were the spectators and volunteers. My wife was there every step of the way, cheering me on and motivating me with lyrics of our favorite training songs. Without her help, I don't know that I would have finished.

Without rehashing everything that I wrote above about the race, there were two things I wanted to share that made this event memorable above and beyond what my wife provided for me.

During the run course, I was having a lot of problems with cramping in my quads. At one point, I stopped on the side of the road to stretch. One of the spectators, a nice lady with grayish hair, was sitting in a lawn chair cheering people on. She saw me stop (within 2 feet of her) and she asked me if I was okay. I told her I was just having some cramping problems but that I thought I'd be alright. She kept repeating things like, "Just go a speed that is comfortable for you. Don't go too hard." When I finished stretching, stood up and looked at her, she had tears running down her cheeks. I thanked her for her kind words, she stood up, patted me on my shoulder and said, "You CAN do this! Go run your race. Walk if you need to. Just keep yourself going." I used those words (and tears) to keep myself going for quite a while! What a wonderful spectator!

Another spectator that really helped was a bit later on. I had stopped to walk and let my legs relax a bit. She saw me coming, looked at the name on my race number, and said, "Joel, this is a NO WALKING ZONE. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to get those legs running." She continued, "Just get yourself jogging. It doesn't have to be fast... but this is a NO WALKING ZONE." I began jogging VERY slowly, and she clapped and cheered. She yelled, "There you go, Joel. Keep it up. You can finish this!" Again, what a wonderful spectator!

The volunteers were amazing, as well. On the bike course, they did a great job listening for what you needed. A volunteer then grabbed the water, Gatorade, etc., and ran with you to make the handoff easier. I never wanted for anything on the course, and the volunteers kept me moving my legs with their positive comments, too.

All in all, this was an AMAZING experience. I wouldn't hesitate to do this event again!!

-Joel

Congratulations and welcome to the 70.3 club, Joel! And what great stories about the spectator and volunteer support...there are a million rewarding and heartwarming stories like that from race day - that's so much a part of what this sport is about! Good luck in your training and racing this season.

I remember the "no walking zone" lady too.....got called out once and didn't want to after that.

Wish I would have remembered your race number....would have like to said Hi.

You experience sounds like mine.....especially the run.

I'm a first time "70.3'er" as well.....its a pretty cool club to be in, huh?

Way to go man! The no walking zone lady got me too - told me I was not allowed to walk in front of her kids.  I didn't the next three laps!  Great race!

I agree. The support was amazing, and the spectators were so uplifting. Honestly, looking back to the race, I can't think of one single thing that might have been a negative!!


Very cool club!! Congrats on finishing the race to you, too!!

And my wife and I were talking about trying to arrange a BT get together next time. We thought it'd be fun to sit and visit with fellow BTers to just help us relax.

-Joel