There is NOTHING like the finish of an Ironman!

We got to the finish line tonight around the 12:00 hour on the race clock.
It was an odd thing looking at the race from the outside. But here are some cool observations...

First. There REALLY is NOTHING like the finish line of an Ironman!! You just have to be there to feel it.

Even the "faster" finishers come in all shapes and sizes. And it seems that being rail thin is not required to finish sub 13 hours. It's more of a matter of being consistant.

You can tell the first timers by the looks on their faces. It's a very cool thing to see- someone fulfilling a dream! They just look amazed by everything. - I remember that feeling... sigh...

The crowd really CAN help! The finish is prolly .25 mile uphill before you turn into the finishing chute. Not an easy finish. A lady was running by me when her left quad cramped and she was forced to pull up. The crowd immediately went NUTS yelling her name (Patrice) and urging her on. It was something to see. GOOSEBUMPS! (and a few tears)

The families of athletes really do get into it. I had a little girl next to me waiting for her aunt. She was all upset thinking something was wrong because she was taking so long. But then went crazy when auntie came by.
I saw so many groups of supporters out there. Very cool to see "moms" crying as their son or daughter ran by. (I secretly wish my mom would care enough to be there for my races).

Watching the last .2 mile of the race is enough to motivate you (or me) to sign up for next year. Yep, next year for me. I have my mojo back!

Yay RunningMommy!! So glad you're racing again!!

Saw my first iron distance finish a few weeks ago (my DH came into a relay team for the bike leg at just 4 weeks til). What an amazing experience:)

That is so inspiring! I felt that kind of elation when I finished the Marine Corps Marathon. Kudos to all you triathletes! I will never be a swimmer, it's all I can do to stay afloat!

Yay- RM is back in the game!!! :) I'm SO glad to hear that we'll be cheering for you next year!!! :D:D:D:D:D

I agree that the finish line is the BEST! We have an iron distance almost literally in our backyard every September (although we cannot call it "iron distance" anymore because we were sued this year by WTC for using the word "iron" because they said they own all rights to the word "iron". We don't have big lawyers to fight it so we have to call it a "full" distance race).

Anywho- it was my first IM (and my DH's, too). It's the BEST to watch people finish- newbies or seasoned veterans. We have about 1000 people do the full and half combined every year, but even tho we're small we do it up big time. IM is the BEST!!!!