Sunday dawned with what was forecast for Saturday: cool and wet. It wasn't raining for the start, but the clouds weren't friendly and the wind that brought them was even less kind. I spent the hour before the start separating the athletes from the spectators on the ramp (aka "helix") and make sure the aisle was clear for the athletes to run back up.
After the start, I made my way to the bottom. The waves on the lake were topping with whitecaps at times. The wind from the north east directly conflicted with the back straightaway on the swim course and pounded the swimmers as they fought through them. Several athletes passed through the peeling zone we briefed the peelers on their duties. This was within fifteen minutes of the start.
The pros left 10 minutes before the main field, but the conditions slowed them a bit. Andrea Fisher and Hilary Biscay arrived to our area first after 53 minutes, followed after a big gap by the rest of the pros. The main field arrived after 1:10 and everyone in the peeling area was busy for the next twenty minutes. Waves and waves of folks streamed out of the water. I stayed at the front and urged the athletes to continue all the way though the chute to get peeled. I saw several bloody eye sockets from kicks to the face. One peeler was asked if a collarbone looked broke.
After two hours and twenty minutes, the swim course closed. But that didn't stop the swimmers. The peeling volunteers began to break down our area, but there were several swimmers declining the ride into the shore and finishing the course. One woman that missed the cutoff kept her wetsuit around her waist, and shivered in the cold while she waited for all the other swimmers to come out of the water. As each one did, she walked over and congratulated them. Another competitor came out late, got hugs from his family and said, "I gotta do this," and took off running up the helix by himself with his wetsuit still on.
Art came out of the water, took of his wetsuit top down and wandered around. He had no support in town and because the area was shutting down, no idea where to go. My wife saw his lost expression and offered help. She put her arm around his exposed shoulders and guided up the ramp. Her comfort warmed his body. His goose bumps "were beyond hard" and he was shivering considerably. As they walked pondered the idea of another year of his life to give to training, "All of that biking and running for nothing." She got him in the transition area, found him some warm clothes. We saw him again on our way out, his hooded sweatshirt closed tight around his head, transition bags in hand. He asked about if his hotel shuttle would come pick him up. We assured they would and hoped he made it home.
The final swimmer to come out under his own power was a half-hour late. Because everyone was cheering his effort and determinedness, he thought he'd made the cutoff, and continued to ask as he ran towards the helix. When they took his timing chip, he finally realized it wasn't meant to be. The most serious case was the woman dragged in by kayak and was suffering from hypothermia, the first of many on the day.
Our peeling duties over, we stopped by the house for warmer clothes and rain protection and made our way out to the bike course. We planted ourselves at the top of Mid Town Rd. and yelled to the entire rider contingent from 11:30 to 4. We saw lots of under prepared athletes, without arm warmers or long sleeves. The garbage bag was a popular option, but I imagine it was tough with a spinnaker sail on your back. Smiles were few and far between, but when we saw one, we made sure to cheer that much louder. We got to see all athletes we were tracking, some twice. It rained the entire time we were there.
Another stop at the house for dinner and a final dry set of clothes and up to the run course with a final stop at the finish line. The run course was wet. Really wet. The debate continued as to which conditions would be worse: hot and windy (last year) or cold, wet and windy (this year). (I maintain that the cold, wet conditions are worse. It's easier to get cool on a hot day than to get warm on a cold, wet day.) We stomped in the rain and yelled to everyone to keep moving. Lots of long faces just looking to put an end the misery. Number 2181 ran by pleading for a set of gloves. My wife, ever the saint, dug her extra throw-away knit pair from her bag. I ran across the road to her and handed them off. She ended up finishing 928 overall in a respectable 12:58. I hope the gloves were a small bit of help.
We made our way to the finish line, ready for our final volunteer shift to hand out finisher's medals. It was still raining, but we were more than eager to have the wonderful opportunity to hand out the most deserved medal in sports. We had the magical hours from 9 to midnight, when the truly inspirational athletes finish. I got to hand out medals to all types of people from all over the world. Like my finish last year, many faces came alive and the biggest smiles grew bigger upon seeing it and getting it placed around their necks. It still was raining, but it didn't dampen the crowd's spirits and enthusiasm. It was never quiet. The energy was so high at times it didn't feel like it was raining. I gave medals to many of the athletes we saw on both the bike and run courses, and many to friends that we'd been tracking. But, as seventeen hours ticked by, I still had one that I wanted to give out. Unfortunately for her, it just wasn't meant to be. Next year for sure.
Monday, we made it to the volunteer appreciation dinner where IM North America made some impressive announcements. Because of the weather, the local organizations in Verona that rely on the proceeds made during their festival didn't sell too many cold glasses of beer and brats. To make up for the loss in revenue, IMNA donated $500 to each organization. Also, instead of picking one best aide station and award that one station an additional amount, IMNA awarded each aide station and additional $500 to be donated to a non-profit of their choice. It was a nice touch that wasn't necessary. Also, they did share that the directors did have a short meeting to discuss the impacts of the weather to the race. They checked with the run course director, who in turn checked with each run station. All reported that they were good to go and would remain until the course closed. That kind of support made the decision easy for the directors.
Overall, it was a tough day for everyone. Both athletes and spectators rallied around each other, sharing a collective energy. It was a special day for 2140 athletes and 2700 volunteers. This is why the race sells out in 45 minutes. It's something beyond the number and types of pros that show up. It's the opportunity to challenge the heart, mind and body for every athlete, volunteer and spectator.