Kona watching thread (Page 10)

Looks like she took the lead in her AG on the bike... see if she can hold it on the run.  16.16 pace for the first 5.

It's the sacrifice and the proof to themselves (and their surrounding more or less).

Here is a picture of TJ out of the water headed to the bike.  I've got a bunch more but thought I'd post this for now. 

(TJ_3357.jpg)

What a story. Sitting here at 6am reading it while eating oatmeal before meeting friends and doing a long run. Hard to eat now. Makes you think how fortunate we all are and how precious life really is.

His website is still up and maintained by friends and family: alswarriorpoet.com

I got up and tuned in just in time to see Harriet, the oldest female competitor (76) cross with under 5 minutes, then about 4 or 5 more. The 17:00:04 woman brought tears to my eyes.

1627 I believe. Did a 13:23. Good for him!

I keep my blog address in my sig line, but this time I'll put a link for my entry on the 4 seconds lady.

Had total PTSD attack (if there is a sports-related version  of it) over the 4 second lady--yelling at the computer screen and in tears when she didn't make the cut. Totally brought back my first marathon--2:59:52 with crowd gone whacko and RD screaming and yelling. If I hadn't made it I think I would have fallen down and died. She handled it with remarkable grace, though, which I would have not have had at age 14, maybe even now.

I know it's a cherished tradition, but given the age of many of these BOP competitors and what they go thru to just get there, it does seem kind of mean to deny them a medal if they make the final cutoff and do reach the line unassisted. Please, don't flame me, I understand it's sacred and you have to draw the line somewhere for "Ironman" to be meaningful.  Just felt sorry for her--she reminded me a bit of my mom.