This past weekend, I had the opportunity to volunteer for Ironman Florida. I had a few friends that were participating in the race, but my true mission was to be there to sign up for IMFL2016. I knew that if I didn't go there, I probably would never sign up.
So late Friday night after Maddie cheered at a football game, I jumped in the car and drove the 4ish hours to Panama City Beach. I got there just in time to grab some breakfast, much needed coffee and shuttle over to the start just in time for the swim.
A few hundred people lined the beach waiting for a glimpse of the 3000 athletes in the water. At first, it was a bit intimidating to me to see this (being the swim is my weakest event). The waves were crashing and tossing people like rag dolls, but once they got past that part, it looked fairly calm.
Most everyone made it out of the water before the cutoff, so that was encouraging, I watched most jump on their bikes and begin the 112 mile ride before I headed over to the medical tent to begin my shift.
I had signed up to work medical from 9-1. I thought that would give me time to head back to the hotel to check in, rest a bit since I had driven most of the night, catch a few snaps of LSU/Bama before heading back to watch a few finishers. As it turns out, not enough people were signed up for the evening shift, so they asked me to work another shift, if possible. Since we had only seen 10 patients in my entire morning shift, I agreed.
I have to admit, working the medical tent for an event like this is NOT pretty. I was rained on. I was bled on, I was sweat on. I was puked on, I was cried on. I saw some of the most nasty blisters and injuries I've ever seen. But the most encouraging part of the whole thing is that I knew these people left everything they had out on that course. So while some of the things I saw should've scared me from ever attempting it, it inspired me to know that I HAVE to do this.
Around 9pm, the rain we were anticipating all day finally began to fall. But the athletes kept streaming in. And working only a few feet from the finish line, I was able to hear - "YOU are an IRONMAN!" about 1000 times - fulfilling dream after dream for those folks.
So Sunday came, and it was do or die for me as far as registering. See, I was told that Ironman Florida fills so quickly that you pretty much have to volunteer and be onsite when registration for the following year opens so that you can get in. I was told to be in line for 8am. This is what the line looked like at 7:15am - in the POURING rain:
The line moved quickly as I chatted with a few sweet ladies from North Carolina that had come to volunteer for the same reason - to get the golden ticket for 2016. We were all nervous as it will be a first Ironman for all of us. But we talked about how to juggle kids, work, life, training, illness and injuries and how to still make it all happen. Just to know there are others in the same boat is encouraging.
And about 30 minutes later, I had this in my email inbox:
So today is a new day. It's a day for dedication and balance and planning and accountability. I've already been to the gym once - at lunch. If using my lunch is the only way to get it in, so be it. I know I have a great support system of family and friends, so I trust the journey. Now all I need is a little luck for decent health that doesn't decline substantially over the next 12 months and I am sure I will make it there.
Fingers crossed!
#IMFL16
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