Volunteering reaps rewards at Ironman Lake Tahoe

     So, I realized not too long ago that while I've been running/racing since 2011, I have never volunteered. Oh sure, I've made the effort to sign up but "life" always seemed to get in the way at the last minute. This year, I knew a few folks racing at IMLT and wanting to support this amazing journey of theirs in anyway I could, I signed up for a volunteer shift. And let's be real - without volunteers, I realize that. I have made a habit of thanking the folks who give up their Sunday mornings to hand out paper cups filled with water in every race. I understand fully the importance of volunteers. And after Sunday night, I wondered why it took me so long to participate as one? The payback was more than the hours I gave....far more. I arrived for my shift at 6pm after battling traffic from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley but I was also able to see athletes as they were starting the last leg of the triathlon, running a marathon. I had signed up for the 6pm to midnight shift for a reason. To be inspired. Because after all, while seeing those elite athletes finish in what seems like an impossible time is amazing, what inspires me are those athletes who juggle 57 different while trying to train properly. The athletes who have disabilities. The ones who are not genetically gifted to swim/bike/run fast. Those athletes who struggle with setbacks. Men and women who continue to race far beyond the age of retirement (there were a handful of these amazing folks Sunday night). Cancer survivors, wounded veterans, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas...people like you and I who are just doing the best we can with what we are given in life. Those are the necks around which I wanted to place a medal.

     For those who don't know, a triathlon consists of three sports, done consecutively. Traditionally, it's a swim/bike/run combination but there are some "reverse" triathlons, usually geared more towards beginner athletes. The swims are done in either a lake, river or ocean but again, there are some events that take place in a pool, usually shorter triathlons.  Three distances are common:  sprint, Olympic and full. From what I have seen, there are various lengths for both sprints and Olympics but full distance is 140.6 miles. That is 2.4 miles of swimming followed by 112 miles on the bike and culminating in a marathon (26.2 miles). Professional and elite athletes will finish in around 9 hours or so but for a lot of athletes who have full time jobs that don't consist of being paid for working out (as in the case of elites/professionals), it will take them far longer. Some will be down to the wire, which is 17 hours. At that point, the lights shut down, the announcer no longer shouts out "You ARE an Ironman" and the crowd starts to dissipate. At IMLT Sunday, they ran both the 70.3 and 140.6 simultaneously. The 70.3 was half the distance obviously and by the time I arrived, all but 3 of those athletes had already completed their races. So most of the night, I was handing out medals for the 140.6 competitors.


Athletes had been racing for 12 1/2 hours


     The athletes finishing around 7pm had been racing for approximately 12 hours and most looked like they had just been out for a Sunday jog. I was impressed, especially with those who were first time Ironman competitors. The announcer would call out their name, age and sometimes their occupation. There were quite a few law enforcement officers along with firefighters. And every brand of the military was represented. But what surprised me was the amount of teachers racing. Guess dealing with children and parents all week long results in the need for hard training?? As the night marched on, the athletes would come in waves. There wouldn't be anybody for quite a few minutes and then suddenly, we would have a handful coming in at the same time. Some smiling, some looking dazed and others collapsing into the arms of the medics and being wheeled away to be assessed. What I loved seeing were those first timers who had loved ones waiting for them at the finish line.  I must have shed tears at least 10 times during the night, watching the raw emotions that were present. 

     One woman had been waiting with her friends for her mother to finish. The daughter was in probably in her late 20's/early 30's. When her mom crossed that finish line, the daughter was one big ball of emotion. She collapsed onto her mother's shoulders, crying and saying "I'm so proud of you mom" while her mom hugged her. Very touching. And another stand out was when a husband finished in the last stretch (probably the last 15 minutes) and dropped to his knees to kiss his pregnant wife's belly. She had been waiting all evening for him and it was wonderful to watch their celebration. There was a couple who finished the race together, walking across the finish line holding hands and then proceeded to give each other a long kiss for all the world to see.
     There were many more moments I will hold close to my heart but none as much as seeing my friend finish her first Ironman. Simply put, she's amazing. In the midst of working full time, being a single mom and a cancer survivor, she found the dedication, motivation and time to train for this event. I will forever be in awe of her. I don't think she knows how strong, both mentally and physically, she is and that's part of her beauty. Her friends were all waiting at the finish line as they were doing their own volunteer shifts, anticipating her arrival. But best of all, her daughter was there, ready to present her mother with a medal. What a great role model - she was able to witness all the months of hard work and dedication pay off in a race that only a very small percentage of people attempt and even less complete. I had been tracking her all day and was so frustrated when the timing chip didn't register later splits on the bike and then the run. I had no idea if she was still out there or had been pulled from the course. The race has certain cutoff times and if you fail to make those times, you get pulled from the course and are not allowed to finish. Devastating to say the least as most of the athletes have put in months and months of early morning hours, giving up their weekends and social lives to train for this event. So when I saw the 25.4 split register and knew she was going to make it, my heart sang. The announcer yelled out "Susan Stewart, you ARE an Ironman" and the crowd that was waiting for her erupted in cheers and screams. I may or may not have shed a few tears as I saw her running down the finisher's chute, smiling and waving her arms held high while looking beautifully strong and definitely NOT like she had just completed 140.6 miles. Both her and her daughter will forever hold that memory in their hearts. I'm honored and blessed to have been able to witness that moment.

The three musketeers - cold, hungry and tired but happy to have been able to give back

     As the last few minutes of the race drew near, the crowd gathered even more, everyone shouting out as each competitor came across the finish "You ARE an Ironman". It was very cool to see these folks finishing in the home stretch.  One gal finished, smiled for the camera then promptly started to collapse. I followed the medical staff into the building to ensure she got her medal and while I was inside, the last athlete crossed at 11:59:53, with 7 seconds to spare.  I am not sure if anyone finished after midnight but she was the last official finisher. The finish line staff started to pack up, the announcer turned off his microphone and it was time to leave. I met up with Pam, the coordinator for our volunteer group, to let her know I was leaving. She thanked me and I thanked her for giving me this opportunity. Ironman relies on thousands of volunteers for its races and Tahoe is no different.  
 Walking back to my car, my mind was filled with images of the day. And I started thinking, maybe just maybe....next year would be my year for a 70.3 race.  I've already done an Olympic (albeit terribly undertrained) and have registered for another crack at Donner, although this time, I will be trained and especially focus on hills with my bike. I can swim 1.2 miles at the drop of a hat, no problem. And while I'm not all that great at it, I know I can run and run for miles so a half marathon distance wouldn't be too much of an issue. But when you add in a bike and a 56 mile bike ride at that.....well, then it comes a bit more challenging. 

It won't be from Tahoe but a 70.3 medal in my future, perhaps?

     I love running but I love putting all three together even more. Next year, the focus will be on triathlon. Looking forward to all the challenges it will bring about. And I am hoping for more opportunities to volunteer. Giving back a little of what has so freely been given to me was good for the soul. I need more of that. If you find yourself with nothing to do on a weekend, look around your area and see if any local races need help with water stations, packet pick up, etc. You are needed and your help will be appreciated by both the race director and runners who know that without you, there is no race. And if you are racing, remember to thank the boy holding your paper cup of water or the girl handing you a gel. Thank the mom who has gotten up early on her Sunday to stand on the course and make sure you don't get lost. Give a nod and thanks to the nurse or EMT who volunteers their medical services to keep the athletes healthy. Without these folks, you would not be on that course racing. Besides, as my friend Susan taught me (probably unknowingly), it feels good to smile and thank others. Race happy, my friends!