Ironthem

I had the honor and privilege to be a spectator when my nephew recently tackled the 2022 Ironman Worlds in Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.

To start, let me set the record straight. It is not an aspiration of this Senior Ripper to be an Ironman. But I stand in awe of those who participate in such a feat. It is a superhuman achievement, consisting of a 2 1/4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a full marathon of 26.2 miles! The accomplishment is inspiring, but not to the point of my actually wanting to try it!

Our infatuation with our nephew’s Triathlon career began in earnest this past May, when Eddie participated in the 2021 Ironman World Championships in St. George, Utah. Given the proximity to our hometown, my fellow Ripper and I (and Piper) couldn’t miss the opportunity to cheer Eddie on in his endeavor to qualify for the ultimate Ironman championships in Kona later the same year.

Kona is the holy grail of Ironman competitions. But because of the Pandemic, and Hawaii’s tight controls, the 2021 championships were moved to St. George, and delayed until May of 2022, before moving back to Kona for the 2022 event. Accordingly, there were 2 world championships barely 5 months apart. How the body can handle two such races so close together is unfathomable to me.

The conditions in St. George were wicked. Temperatures in the nineties, and strong winds on an incredibly hilly course resulted in slower times and more DNF’s than are typical, but Eddie excelled, and managed a high enough finish in his age group (50-54) to qualify for the big Kahuna, Kona! The result surprised him, as he did not think he had done well enough, until he saw how the conditions had affected all the competitors.

So, it was on to Kona. How could I miss that? A short flight from Salt Lake to Seattle, highlighted by snow covered volcanic peaks as we approached the City.

Then a not-so-short flight to Kona, a lovely outdoor airport and a short ride to our rental house, within walking distance of the start and finish of the race.

The week in Kona is a big party. The town, and most of the island, is overrun by the athletes, families, volunteers, spectators, sponsors and media. Smiles are all we saw. Among the pre-race events was the infamous “Underpants Run”, which is exactly what the name suggests!

Eddie’s race was on Thursday, four days after my arrival. For the first time, Kona was split into two days of racing. Thursday was reserved for the Pro Women’s field, all of the Women’s age-groups, and a few of the Men’s age-groups, including Eddie’s. The decision to split the event into two days was intended to increase the focus on the Pro Women, who, in the past, had to share the spotlight with the Pro Men, and the winners would cross the finish line with men, and got somewhat lost in the crowds. This year, they had the stage all to themselves, and it was a huge hit. And for the first time since 1996, an American woman, Chelsea Sodaro, won the pro race.

The conditions in Kona were, again, challenging. Extremely hot, and occasionally windy. Ironically, when wind would have been appreciated, to cool the athletes, it was still. In Eddie’s words, it made for “brutal run conditions.” It was even draining for the spectators, and all we did was stand around and watch and cheer!

Ironman races start with a 2.4 mile swim. This one was in open water, in the bay off of the town of Kailua-Kona, a touristy, honky tonk town, but full of action for Ironman week. The start of the swim is a spectacle. Unlike anything I had ever seen. A mass of humanity, with kicking and punching for position. But experienced triathletes use the crowds to draft (legal in the swim; not in the bike).

Incredibly, as he neared the finish line, he was able to spot us cheering him on from the banks of the beach. I think he saw us before we could identify him!

The 112 mile bike ride was next. At around 50 miles in, Eddie received a five minute penalty for drafting, which is illegal on the bike. When approaching or passing another rider, one must clear the “draft zone” within 25 seconds. Eddie is not sure he actually violated the rule, but regardless, he was forced into the “penalty box” for a five minute “rest”. When I asked him about it later, he said the net loss is less than the full five minutes, since he used that time to rest, stretch and hydrate, so when the penalty was over, he felt stronger.

And then, finally, the run. A full marathon after the slog they had already experienced. I just can’t imagine it.

And then it was done. Almost 11 hours long. Eddie went straight to the medical tent for an IV to replenish fluids lost. Ever smiling. It was awesome.

Just in case you can’t tell, this Senior Ripper uncle was proud as a peacock to witness Eddie’s achievement. Kona had long been a dream of his. And now it’s done. My fellow Ripper and I are official groupies. How long Eddie will continue these epic events, not even Eddie knows. But as long as he does, we’ll be there to be his biggest fans.

Do you have any relatives who inspire you? And through whom you can live vicariously?

Keep moving, stay safe, have fun!

p.s. Incredibly, Eddie competed this past weekend, again in St. George, in the Half Ironman World Championships (already? so soon?). When I asked him how he could do it again, so close on the heels of Kona, he answered, “it’s just a half-Ironman; no problem.” And yes, my fellow Ripper and I were there to cheer him on. We wouldn’t have missed it for the world!