IronSpectators

Ironman festivities are such a treat. Anyone that can swim two-and-a-half miles, bike 112 miles, then tack on a marathon for good measure deserves to be celebrated.

And celebrate we do.

I'm an Ironman groupie, and this event is the crown jewel of working at the tourism office.

This day began on calm waters...but an unpredicted sandstorm quickly turned Sand Hollow into Maui. They don't call it Hurricane for nothing.

So anyone who finished Ironman St. George 2012 is truly an iron man. The swim was brutal.

Rewind to Friday night. We entered our chillens in the IronKids fun run. Ella ran one mile! Ran/walked...but she did it, water backpack and all. Avery's sign is awesome (see below).

And Avery competed in the 200 meter dash. Avery got a little competitive in her race and took off! I missed her at the finish line but she didn't stop there anyway. She ran all the way to the splash pad and we couldn't find her for about 15 minutes. She told us that she won her race because she was the first one to the splash pad...even though that wasn't actually the finish line.

There goes Iron Ella! There was a lot of people there. It was kinda IronKrazy.

 

This was a commemorative year, being the third and last full-distance Ironman. The next two years are set for a 70.3.

At the finish line Saturday I got to hold the ribbon for Meredith Kessler when she won. It was awesome. Check it (8:07 on the video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LDTI3yhluM&feature=youtu.be

Our kids are IronSpectators. I cannot count the number of people Avery yelled out at, "YOU. ARE. AN. IRONMAN."

Ashley joined up at the VIP tent for the real party that ensues after 10 p.m. At that point in the day, everyone is screaming "You are an Ironman!" to people both in the race and not in the race, as the spectators do the YMCA in the bleachers. We got to see Meri and Rich finish together holding hands :)