Virginia Triple Iron (Page 8)

I'm with you Derek...the stalking is getting a little spooky. 

And by the way...Tom and Tony are not living in anyone's shadow...they just completed a DOUBLE IRONMAN...sheesh.

That's a little weird with the stalking man.

But what all three of these athletes accomplished is nothing short of spectacular.  Just doing Ironman itself is more than I would say 99% of the triathlon community even considers.  And that's the triathlon community.

I've been out of town and without Internet access all weekend .  I just read through this thread.  Amazing accomplishments for all three.  Congratulations Gina, Tom and Tony!

TJ

All THREE of you- TRULY INCREDIBLE! You epitomize for me the real heart of an athlete.  You pushed yourself farther than any of us can even begin to imagine, and you did awesome...and what's great is you didn't do it before cameras or massive coverage or for incredible sponsorships, you did it to push yourself, you did it as an absolute pure athlete! CONGRATULATIONS! Now go PAMPER yourselves FOR DAYS!

I can not seem to find that plan either.  Also, which is the easiest Triple IM to do as my first? 

I know this is kind of "old" news but I'm just getting caught up on this thread.  Unless I'm reading this wrong this also means that Gina beat the men's record (before this race) as well.  I thought that was worth noting.

I don't usually post to things I find objectionable on this forum because it doesn't usually do any good but I couldn't stop myself from responding to this one.  I jockstrapped for Tony at the race and I'm sure he won't respond to this but I can't believe that you feel that anyone that finished after Gina was in her shadow.  I especially find this hard to believe that someone who proudly posts that they are BOP would make this statement.  Do you feel that you are in the shadow of everyone that finishes in front of you?  This is totally against what I see at most triathlons.  I see people cheering each other on and helping each other the best they can.   This was even more evident at this double and triple.  I saw all four of the first four finishers back at the support area cheering people on including the 4th place finisher who spent time in the medical tent.   It was an amazing experience to watch this race and I enjoyed the sense of community.   Maybe you need to experience that community before making comments like this.

Ernie  

I agree that this was not meant negatively only that everyone, including myself, focused on Gina and not everyone doing the race.  I know personally I have meet gina (granted only once) but have raced with her BF a few times and even ate dinner with the both of them before my first HIM a month ago so that probably affect the fact that I was pulling for her.

As far as going pro I would think that would be very difficult because I don't think there is a pro field per say for DIM or TIM, etc.  You can probably get sponsorship but the Ultra Tri's are more about endurance.  I am not positive but completing a DIM or TIM does not equate to the speed needed to race pro in IM and shorter.  Just a guess though.

My bad, I misunderstood and I apologize.

Ernie

Actually I was asleep.  Getting my 4th, 5th, and 6th hours of sleep in the last 3 days which was an embarrasing wealth of rest compared to Gina who was just getting her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hours of sleep in the same time period.  Lucky fer you I had turned my ringer off   It's all good though, I still love ya.

bts 

I am too tired to say much right now (strange since I had more sleep than anyone, but...)

It was a life changing experience.  The ultra-community is amazing. low key, humble, funny, laid back... Yes, they are amazing athletes, but what you can;t see from following the race online is how amazing they are as human beings, the stories that brought many of them to the start line, the way, even when puking and exausted and delirious they still had time to crack jokes at the spectators, the class that several of the top finishers had to sit around and wait for ALL finishers to come in before heading to bed...   Then there's the families and support crews-- talk about selfless! Brett=crew chief for Tony and Gina, and Sherri (oliveview) =Crew chief for Tom-- THEY are also inspirations. TO give everything for another person, in Sheri's case, for a man she never even met.

More later....  I am emotional! 

Very well said.  Talk about selfless.  The crew guys and girls received nothing material, just the incredible feeling of helping out those athletes performing the incredible accomplishments, the ultra triathlons.  And to stay up for hours on end only to help out others.  Yeah, y'all deserve alot of praise as well.

Hollis, you stated what the race was like very well.  It was life changing and it was so different than any other race I have ever been a part of.  It was very intimate.  I see why they talk about "the ultra family".     

I want to also mention Ernie as a great crew chief for Tony!  He never stopped and had a smile on his face the whole time.  Great job Ernie!! 

I am still very emotional about the whole experience...