THE IRONMAN SPECTATORThe ironman spectator has a huge positive influence on race participants and is extremely important to their success on ironman race day.
I played the part of ironman spectator as I took the "Ironstruck" road-show to the 25th edition of Ironman Canada in Penticton in August and I'm glad to say that of the 130 copies of my book "Ironstruck....The Ironman Triathlon Journey" that I took with me for signing at the expo, I came home with only six. 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 an Ironman spectator. Especially the ones who spent the entire 17 hours out there. It's 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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