THE IRONMAN SPECTATOR

However, more satisfying than even that was actually meeting people who were taking some of my ideas and inspirations into the race with them. People I had talked to online, but never before met.

I sure wasn't used to being a spectator along a course that I had raced on 10 times over the years. It was a course I had left so much of myself on over the years.

I learned quite a lot from spending the day, and much of the night on the course cheering on the competitors. I saw the race from a different viewpoint and was able to see how others reacted to the race and how they supported everyone.

Many spectators were up an hour before the start gun in order to land a prime viewing spot for what was to be the biggest mass swim start in Ironman history.

Then while the runners were out on the bike course, people were writing out chalk messages up and down the run course in recognition of their favorite triathletes.

All the restaurants were full along main street as the bikers began coming back into town hours later and from that moment on, the procession of bikers and runners would go on late into the night.

It was amazing to see just how much support the spectators provided for 'all' the participants. It was also special to see how they stayed out there hour after hour to cheer everyone on.

I'm glad I had a chance to see the race from another point of view, and came to a major conclusion.

You have to be 'tough' to be a spectator during an Ironman event.

This is especially true of the spectators who spend the entire 17 hours out on the course and at the finish cheering their favorite triathlete on. It can be quite an emotional and physical drain.

I think for the first time I really appreciated just how important the families, friends, volunteers, and even strangers are to an individuals success in the Ironman.

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