Every single person that finished was smiling – thrilled – ecstatic. He high-fived them as they would come down the chute all smiles. Mike Riley was out in the chute with an unbelievable amount of energy – cheering on and in. And… I think we delivered.ĭespite the driving cold rain – a sizable crowd filled the bleachers and lined the finishers chute and street leading into the finish area. They deserved to hear the same cheer that the first place finishers got when they made it in just under the wire – but oh so much louder. They needed to hear the cheer when they were a mile away from the finish with 10 minutes left.
Plus – it’s incredible to see the emotion on not only their faces – but of their supporters and the crowd. It just seemed to me like something I should do. They were out there moving for upwards and over 17 hours. These folks needed it – and deserved it the most. I had plenty of time to get back to the hotel and shower/eat, and thus there wasn’t any real reason why I couldn’t help cheer others on. While I finished earlier in the evening, I decided a year ago when I signed up that I would go back to the finish area after my race to watch people finish at midnight. But it does not go silently into the night – that’s for sure. Exactly 17 hours after the race began…it ends. The second and I think most defining point in the day though is at midnight. Everyone starts the day at the same place and with the same hopes of finishing. It’s one of the most amazing sights you’ll see or be part of – and incredibly emotional. The first is at 7:00AM – when the masses churn through the water in a display that rivals the opening ceremonies. As Jesus himself said, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Treat your fellow neighbors with respect and allow them the dignity which is sleep.I think there are two points in the day that truly define an Ironman event. However, unless these neighbors intend on pursuing a career in interior design, it is likely that the culprit of this noise lies elsewhere.įollow the commandments devised to protect resident’s sleep schedules and do not begin your evening gatherings during quiet hours. Along with the lively and somewhat deafening laughter-filled conversations, comes with the routine screech of what is hopefully the sound of rearranging of furniture. Clamorous tales of events which unfolded throughout the day followed by a loud courteous outburst of laughter have become such pleasures to hear in my daily life- although, this does take some time to become accustomed to. Some may say that it is the excitement of breaking the rules which makes gathering after quiet hours so invigorating, however, I believe that it is just lack of respect or decency.Ī coterie of students gather- almost ceremoniously- to begin the evening celebrations. As if receiving pleasure from others’ despair, neighbors (both adjacent and above) wreak havoc on my sleep pattern and, the most maniacal of laughs echo through the hallways of the dormitories to announce that the evening social hour has begun. After the twelfth chime of midnight from the old grandfather clock, chaos ensues.