Ironman Louisville - 8/30/09

So, here's the big Ironman Louisville post I know you all have been just dying for! =)

And sorry for my hiatus...I kept saying I need to post but then I never did. I'm a horrible blogger!

So, on with the show...

The swim start was massive. Think of almost 3000 athletes lining up to jump into the Ohio River, and then put all their spectators out there and try to find your athlete. Near impossible! But I got a pic of the mess, and then we headed off to find a good spot to find him after the swim.



So, when we made our way down, we decided to stop and take a picture of the transition area.


Look at all those bikes! So, then we look a little closer, and realize we're standing almost directly across from John's bike! He was number 258, and in the first row of bikes! So that meant we had a great spot to see him in transition!

So, I leave my in-laws there with Violet (and Bridgett and Trent) and go over to the swim finish to try and get a pic of them coming out of the water.

Again, mass of people.


I finally find a decent spot to get a pic...well, when I see John come out of the water, the camera had fell asleep and this is what I got.


Lame.

But then I headed back over, and found a great spot to get pics of them heading out on their bikes!

So here he is in transition.


Leaving transition


And getting on his bike




So then we drove out to La Grange, where you can watch them go by on their bikes...we get there just in time to see John go by, but I didn't even have my camera out yet so I didn't get a pic.

Anyway, after that we went and ate some lunch and then picked a spot to watch him head out on the run.

While waiting, I took a pic of my in-laws


Apparently they did the same thing!


Here he comes!


Aww, he stopped and talked to Violet!


And off he goes!


Here's a pic of the finish line area


And here he is coming down the finishing chute!


He's an Ironman!


Me and John


And here's his tattoo, which he got about a week ago, forever showing the world his big accomplishment!


Now, he had some problems on the run, but he finished (14 hours 48 minutes). However, this also means he wants to do another one. Ironman Florida 2010, here we come!

And, of course, now I want a tattoo!