140.6 – The moment I’ll never forget
Photos (and these are the ones that pretty much say it all): In the finish chute (courtesy of Steph and an odd exposure setting; another in the chute and headed to a high-five with Kristie (courtesy of my dad); high-fiving Kristie (courtesy of Eric); and the two "official" finisher shots.
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As I turned onto Capital Square, I saw Jenny right at the corner—she started to run with me until I informed her I wasn’t running quite yet and forced her to start walking instead. About a half block up, bundled up in a winter coat, I found Claire—the friend with whom Vardo and I stayed Thursday night and for whom I used to babysit—I gave her a quick high five and started to run.
As I turned the corner by the special needs area, I saw Nate, Amy, Carrie, Nicole, and Jeremy (who finished in under 12:30)—gave them high fives and turned back to keep running…only to find myself almost running through the special needs bags as I also tried to pull off my wet and soggy gloves. I quickly rerouted back onto the road and tried to take it all in—the spectators along the side of the road cheering us along, the runners coming back from the @#$%! turnaround and headed back out for lap #2, the banners, the lights, and everything else…still made fairly crappy by the pouring rain, wind, and cold, but absolutely amazing nonetheless.
As I made the final turn of the run course onto MLK Drive, everything turned into a weird combination of a blur and the kind of slow-motion action normally associated with highly dramatic movie shots. I remember turning and starting to smile from ear to ear, shouting to the crowds, high-fiving anyone who had their hand out over the fence, passing the turnaround and knowing that I didn’t have to go back out again, and then there, in front of me, was the finishing chute---not the version that’s been the wallpaper on my home computer, but the real, honest-to-God thing.
As I passed the Ford Explorer on the ramp that I remembered from last year, I hit the chute—still smiling, still yelling, arms raised high or high-fiving…and I savored every damn second that passed. Theresa, Steph, Cara, and my parents were on the left side of the chute, but I was on the right—and a little too preoccupied with slapping hands of the spectators to motor on over to the other side, but I heard every word of encouragement and pride that they shouted. Kristie was on the left just passed the recognition mat, though, and I gave her a big high five and a smile just before I did that magic thing.
At 9:08:41 pm, I hit the finishing tape and crossed the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin 2006 with a time of 14:08:41—about 51 minutes faster than my goal of 15 hours and about 3 years and a month after I started my Weight Watchers journey. As I crossed, two volunteers “caught” me—one of each side—who put their arms around me, wrapped a mylar blanket around me, and, in a moment that I’d dreamed of since September 12, 2005, put a finisher’s medal around my neck.
After one last cup of chicken broth, one of my catchers grabbed a finisher’s bag for me and pointed me over to the finisher’s photo area. I straightened my number bib and smiled big for the camera, then saw Greg in the same area and got a big bear hug from this stranger who helped carve out the best moment of my life to this point. Over his shoulder, Michele and her mom were behind the fence, both smiling and yelling for me.
I made it out to the exit area to find my friends and family huddled together, smiling, and waiting for me. I got hugs from my parents, Kristie and Eric, Theresa, Steve and Kathy, Cara, Steph, Jenny, Claire, and Michele. Steph handed me a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, and I dug my finisher’s hat out of my goodie bag and slapped it on my head. Pictures were taken, including one of me kissing my medal and one with the “Roehring to the finish” sign that my mom had made for me. The whole time (which was probably only ~3-4 minutes or so), I was struggling to keep my mylar on and to stay warm, but I didn’t care at all. As Kathy finally handed me my Japanese Pan Noodles and we started to head back to the Hilton, the moment I’ll remember forever kept playing through my mind…crossing the line and hearing “From Carol Stream, Illinois…first-time finisher Kari Roehr…YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”
And you know what? Turns out I am…and I’m pretty sure I saw a pig or two flying by.
As I turned the corner by the special needs area, I saw Nate, Amy, Carrie, Nicole, and Jeremy (who finished in under 12:30)—gave them high fives and turned back to keep running…only to find myself almost running through the special needs bags as I also tried to pull off my wet and soggy gloves. I quickly rerouted back onto the road and tried to take it all in—the spectators along the side of the road cheering us along, the runners coming back from the @#$%! turnaround and headed back out for lap #2, the banners, the lights, and everything else…still made fairly crappy by the pouring rain, wind, and cold, but absolutely amazing nonetheless.
As I made the final turn of the run course onto MLK Drive, everything turned into a weird combination of a blur and the kind of slow-motion action normally associated with highly dramatic movie shots. I remember turning and starting to smile from ear to ear, shouting to the crowds, high-fiving anyone who had their hand out over the fence, passing the turnaround and knowing that I didn’t have to go back out again, and then there, in front of me, was the finishing chute---not the version that’s been the wallpaper on my home computer, but the real, honest-to-God thing.
As I passed the Ford Explorer on the ramp that I remembered from last year, I hit the chute—still smiling, still yelling, arms raised high or high-fiving…and I savored every damn second that passed. Theresa, Steph, Cara, and my parents were on the left side of the chute, but I was on the right—and a little too preoccupied with slapping hands of the spectators to motor on over to the other side, but I heard every word of encouragement and pride that they shouted. Kristie was on the left just passed the recognition mat, though, and I gave her a big high five and a smile just before I did that magic thing.
At 9:08:41 pm, I hit the finishing tape and crossed the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin 2006 with a time of 14:08:41—about 51 minutes faster than my goal of 15 hours and about 3 years and a month after I started my Weight Watchers journey. As I crossed, two volunteers “caught” me—one of each side—who put their arms around me, wrapped a mylar blanket around me, and, in a moment that I’d dreamed of since September 12, 2005, put a finisher’s medal around my neck.
After one last cup of chicken broth, one of my catchers grabbed a finisher’s bag for me and pointed me over to the finisher’s photo area. I straightened my number bib and smiled big for the camera, then saw Greg in the same area and got a big bear hug from this stranger who helped carve out the best moment of my life to this point. Over his shoulder, Michele and her mom were behind the fence, both smiling and yelling for me.
I made it out to the exit area to find my friends and family huddled together, smiling, and waiting for me. I got hugs from my parents, Kristie and Eric, Theresa, Steve and Kathy, Cara, Steph, Jenny, Claire, and Michele. Steph handed me a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, and I dug my finisher’s hat out of my goodie bag and slapped it on my head. Pictures were taken, including one of me kissing my medal and one with the “Roehring to the finish” sign that my mom had made for me. The whole time (which was probably only ~3-4 minutes or so), I was struggling to keep my mylar on and to stay warm, but I didn’t care at all. As Kathy finally handed me my Japanese Pan Noodles and we started to head back to the Hilton, the moment I’ll remember forever kept playing through my mind…crossing the line and hearing “From Carol Stream, Illinois…first-time finisher Kari Roehr…YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”
And you know what? Turns out I am…and I’m pretty sure I saw a pig or two flying by.
posted by roehr @ 1:36 PM
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