Spectating Part 3

After Jan and Lou finished, changed to some dry clothes, and recovered a bit, they headed for the barbecue. Mike, Joanne and I salivated while watching the three eat. After they recovered from a long day of competing we agreed to meet in Mike's motel room for pizza and wine. A couple of sheet pizzas and a few gallons of wine later, Mike, Joanne and I seemed much better after our 10 hour spectating day.
Three lessons were learned. One, wear sunscreen, no matter what the temperature. If you are out all day you will get burned. Two, bring coffee and bagels to sell next year and pay for the trip. Three, bring a pillow and blankets so we can sleep during the bike stage.
Really, it was neat to watch and the three of us will undoubtedly be doing this more often. I know at the Louisville Ironman I will bring a liter of coffee strapped to my back, a nice foldout chair, a good book, suntan lotion and food.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 6, 2007 at 10:01 AM

    Spectating also is a big money saver. If I didn't see our athletes competing I might be out paying for a bike and wetsuit now. Thanks for saving me me a grand.

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  2. AnonymousJuly 14, 2007 at 7:08 AM

    M,
    Nice to finally get some recognition for us lowly spectators! Stressful isn't it! I'm glad to see you have a new appreciation for those of us who not only have to endure absent spouses who are out training, but neurotic packing,unpacking and repacking, long car rides with 15 bathroom stops, waking up at 5:30 on race day only to stand outside shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of strangers in the rain, blazing heat, or cold for hours, for the honor of saying "GO LOU" for the 20 seconds we get to see you run, bike of swim by! Next race, I expect to see you in neon colored shorts so I can spot you among all the other middle aged, balding guys in blue or white shirts running by.
    When you get ready to start your packing list for the iron man, give me a call. I'll dig out one of my spectators lists and go over it with you. Missed you at Boilermaker. That race gives the spectator the added benefit of standing shoulder to shoulder in 90 degree weather with thousands of sweaty people who also smell like warm, dark beer! Spectating isn't for everyone. You really have to train for it.
    ~J

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