Correction: For some of us on the support crew, Ironman events start as far back as the initial decision to commit to the race. We (or maybe I just speak for myself) are genuinely thrilled that our spouse has dedicated himself to training his body to endure the distances. It's awe-inspiring to watch him get in the mindset, make sacrifices, and commit to 7-hour workouts on a Saturday morning, and we are more than willing to do what we can to support them -- everything from watching children to purchasing Body Glide or Vaseline to carrying/retrieving equipment to mapping out our spectator plan to be as many places as possible on the course to cheer on our athletes. (Though less willing to tackle the IronLaundry.) My favorite term for this supportive commitment, when it comes to Ironman races, is IronSherpa. Here's a funny article that pretty much sums up what that's like as IronSpouse/IronSherpa:
Advice from an IronSherpa by Debra Vinikour
Here are a few things we did and a few things we learned -- and a few things we can't wait to do next time!
1. Choose Your Friends Wisely
Spectating with a bigger cheering section is loads more entertaining than being the sole fan for your athlete at an event. Fun in numbers! There's a lot of time between when you see your athlete to the next time you see your athlete, so having additional IronFans with you makes the wait more entertaining. (But be aware that too many people can make the logistics difficult.) This year our support crew was the perfect size -- 3 IronWives, 1 IronSister-in-Law and 1 IronGirlfriend -- such a fun, fun group that all fit in one car! We didn't even plan to have any kids there until later in the day, if at all. Honestly, they are just too young right now to be out in the heat and stuck in a stroller all day. While we love them immensely, we love them more not to put them through that (and selfishly, it's easier on the rest of us. It's also easier on fellow spectators -- we were often blocked by others' strollers in crowded areas just trying to see our athlete. Don't be that person.) Some day, the kids will be there with us. Until then we are grateful for their Grandmas and Grandpas.
2. Become a Team
Practically everyone cheering at these events have customized t-shirts made up for the occasion to show their support and team unity. We saw shirts screaming Iron John, IronMate, I Married an IronMan, IronBaby on Board (I could have used that one this year), Team Dori, and lots, lots more. My sister requested an IronMauney shirt for her husband, which led to an IronMoreland shirt for Michael, an I Am An IronFan shirt for the rest of us, and My Daddy is an IronMan shirts for the wee ones (with appropriate TeamMauney or TeamMoreland designations on the back). Future shirt ideas may include IronWidow or IronSpouse or IronKid.3. Share the Love
>>Put it in Writing.
Sure, we had signs personalized for our racers. Most people do. But it's also a joy to bring a chuckle to complete strangers who have been on the grueling course for the last 5 hours. We made a couple fun ones, including:
- Go Strangers, Go!
- WTF? Where's the Finish?
- Cars, slow down! Our boys are racing! {roads were open to traffic and some are so inconsiderate!}
- Don't Stop, Get it! Get it! {sing along!}
Let me say, the Go Strangers, Go sign was a big hit, bringing a lot of comments and smiles from athletes. We'll definitely use that one again!
And always eager to improve for next time, here's an even longer list of those that would be fun to do in the future:
- Whatever! I can do Half of this. {for sister Angie to hold, who is a Half Ironwoman.}
- Bet you went out too fast.
- <blank> miles til Beer
- Making these signs was really hard, too.
- Bet you were off your bike now {for late on the bike}
- Bet you had your bike back {for late on the run}
- We think you're 90% mental
- Smile if you peed on yourself {surprisingly a common, intentional occurrence on long rides}
>>Light Up the Night.
If your racers are night-time finishers (meaning, 12+ hour finishers, which ours are), race volunteers will start handing out glow-in-the-dark necklaces for the runners to wear on the last leg. Bring your own glow sticks to light up yourself, too. This year we had planned to use fun LED-light-up balloons I found at Walmart. We were going to tie them to dowel rods to carry them around and help our runners see us along the course. Well, unfortunately, we never got to this fun spectating accessory, but I can't wait to try them out next time!
4. Make Some Noise!
>>More Cowbell.
Cowbells are hugely popular at races. They create excitement and noise to cheer on the athletes. In fact, at Michael's first Ironman event the race volunteers were handing them out to spectators. As the saying goes, you can always use more cowbell.>>Pump Up the Jam.
Next time, though, we'll be bringing music to rev up the racers. Playing Eye of the Tiger, Living on a Prayer, the Rocky theme, We Will Rock You, (What Doesn't Kill You Makes You) Stronger, etc. would get everyone going. (I'll leave the song list up to someone else; music is not my thing.)>>Louder is Better.
Another "Next Time" item to add: a megaphone. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to call out over the crowd "MICHAEL, HERE BY THE YELLOW FLAG" or call out 50 yards down the course to your cyclist? Hmm, maybe I should check with our racers to see if they'd think that was awesome or if it's just me.
5. Map it Out
The Race Map is a crucial element to spectator planning. You've gotta know where your athlete will be going, and you need to find the easiest routes to get there with the best vantages. (I am still given a hard time for not seeing Michael on his first Ironman Run a block away from the restaurant where I was eating. I didn't do my research.) Oftentimes, you're not going to know where these places are if it's the first time you're doing a race in a new city (or if you haven't done your research). Since we've experienced Ironman Louisville before, we had a much better handle on the lay of the land. We figured out the quickest way to do our own transition from Swim Exit to Bike Exit and then from Bike In to Run Out in less than five minutes while having cameras and signs ready to go.Race organizers will sometimes designate viewing areas for different points on the course. They may even offer shuttles to these places. These get crowded. In Louisville it's the town of LaGrange where the bikers do a couple of laps. Shuttles takes forever, and if you drive yourself, parking is difficult -- making for longer walks with chairs and coolers, and it's likely all the shady spots are already taken. Don't be afraid to take your own car and find your own viewing areas. We heard about another spot about 5 miles before LaGrange in the town of Buckner, where cyclists also do 2 laps. We parked at the high school which was right on the bike course. We simply had to walk across the street and find a shady spot in the grass. It was so convenient to go back and forth to the car as needed. Spots like these are great for the racers, too, since it helps spread out the fans and provides diversions in more places along the course. But also note -- You must be informed of road closures and how long they'll be closed. You must know where you'll be able to go and how to get around to where you want to be.
6. Know Your Athlete
>>Be Fashion Forward.
By race morning, you need to know what your athlete is going to be wearing for each leg of the race. Does he run in a visor or sunglasses? What color is his bike frame and helmet? Does he swim bare chested or with a tri top? What color is his swim cap (if the swim start has waves)? Does he wear compression socks or sleeves? All of these things will help picking out your racer on the course. Believe me, other athletes tend to have the same body frame/build, and bikers really start looking alike. Digital cameras are really helpful for this, too. We were able to look back at photos to remind ourselves and show other IronFans what apparel to look for.>>Get Estimates.
Consult with your athlete before the race to approximate his expected pace for each leg of the race. This will be your key to timing your day and knowing when to expect to see your racer. This will also clue you in as to how he's doing that day. If he's near his expected time, he's feeling good. If there's a delay, you'll start to worry that he had a bad swim or bike problems or lacking proper nutrition.7. Be Prepared
Have these on-hand: |
| 3 phones charging at once |
- Cooler with cold beverages
- Snacks
- Sunscreen/Chapstick - Bug spray, too, if sitting in grassy areas
- Blanket and/or chairs to sit on
- Car phone charger - we were constantly using our smart phones to check athlete's split times, to text each other our locations, and to follow-up with other IronFans
- Extra markers and tape for last-minute signs (see above)
- Cameras, fully charged
- Course maps and smart phone map application
- Athlete tracker application (on website or on smart phone app)
- Bike/gear pickup tickets - so you can collect their belongings for them while they continue racing
- Flip-flops or alternate pair of shoes - switching your shoes can revitalize your feet
8. Take a Break
Whenever you come across a public restaurant, store, hotel lobby, gas station, etc., hit up the bathrooms! Likely the only restrooms around the race sites are port-a-lets, which, if you think are unpleasant, wait til you experience a race day port-a-let after thousands of athletes have used them. Actually, don't, and just take my word for it. You'll thank me later.
Bottom line, it's going to be a looooong day. And you're going to get tired and bored and ready to go home. This is when you have to remind yourself that your athlete is feeling like this, too. Well, probably more so. Ok, a lot more so. And when you realize this, you know you can't quit now! So, whenever you have a chance, hit up any place with A/C and a comfy chair (better yet, a hotel room where you can take off your shoes, lay down for 10 minutes and maybe take a shower). You'll feel refreshed for it and ready to make it to the finish line. You're almost there!
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