Ironman Wisconsin 2008

This IM (Ironman) was the second in a back to back session for us at Insideout Sports. After getting done loading the truck in Ky on Monday we all got a good night’s sleep and headed to Madison WI. Most of the crew flew to WI, with the exception of BOB and Dennis, they flew home after KY. Then Edde drove a U Haul full of bikes and supplies to restock us up to WI. I rode in the big truck with Les and Lawrence. The trip went smoothly until we were about 30 miles from Madison.

Lawrence was driving and I was in the front seat. We heard a pretty loud noise and both of us looked out the right mirror in time to see a huge part of the trailer tire flying through the air. Blowout! Bummer! We were hoping to get our laundry done this evening. Lawrence slowed the truck down and stopped to check for damage then we slowly rolled into the next truck stop and got the tire replaced. There is a reason big trucks have so many wheels!



It didn’t take as long as I thought it would. They pretty much changed it right on the truck.





We rolled in to Madison after dark but in time to snag a beer at the hotel bar and catch up with Bill and Edde and a couple of the others from the Wisconsin crew.
Madison is a beautiful town. The Capitol building is in the center of everything and very much showcased. This is what I saw out of my hotel window.









There are two lakes and Madison surrounds the two lakes. There are bike paths around both lakes and the trails are very well used. Madison has been voted one of the top five towns to live/bike in many years in a row.







So the next day rolls around and it’s time to unload. We used elevators to get from the ground level loading dock to the 4th floor store and service area. The store in indoors and the service area is outside in a small tent.
Then there is another small store and the Cervelo (the brand of bikes we sell)tent outdoors on the 5th floor. Being all spread out like this made it tough to set up and manage.

There was a lot of discussion on how to get what where.

The mechanics headed out to the second trailer to unload the bikes. The loading dock area was too small for both our trailers and Ironman's trailer. We used the U haul Edde brought up for re-supplying. There were only three seats up front. I made the best of the back seat. Lawrence did his best to slide me off of there on the drive over to the other trailer!

We had a couple of people celebrate their birthdays on this trip. Most notably was Lawrence. He turned 28. With in minutes of getting to the bar on his birthday he had a pile of shots sitting in front of him bought by various people. He was king for the night without a doubt!

Then back to business the next day. It seems like at every Expo we have a lot of one thing or another happen. This trip we went through computer batteries like water. The older Cateye wireless computers were going on the blink. We had three come through the tent on the first day and then a fourth on the following day. Then there was the usual backwards valute springs.

This is common at every Ironman. People undo their skewers for one reason or another and get that spring on wrong. Simple but it makes a difference! It won’t allow the wheel to set in the frame or fork correctly. The springs have to point at the wheel!
Katie (From Saris )came by with her newly painted single speed frame. We helped her get her fork and bottom bracket in though the new paint.


Leia’s boyfriend painter the frame and he’s a car guy. He did a beautiful job, he just didn’t know about covering the threaded sections. Leia is the other Saris rep. Both of these guys live in the Madison area. The two of them also brought us lunch and beer on set up day. Thanks again guys!

So I ran almost every day and even did a brick on Saturday. It was a fun experience because a gained a coach on this trip. Edde who works at the Cary store was on this trip. He offered to run with me. I’m pretty new and slow at this running stuff but he was okay with that and came out to play anyway. He pushed me and taught me a lot in the few days that we ran. The day we did the brick was real fun because we rode Les and Lawrence’s fixies then ran.

He’s a very positive person and a three time Ironman himself. He’s got me thinking harder of doing one myself sooner than I planned.

Okay, race day Wisconsin 2008. The day started out perfect and stayed that way. The water was totally still. The morning air was cool but not cold. The water was like 20 degrees warmer than the air.

Edde and Wayne came out to help us pump tires at 5am. Thanks guys!

So did some of the drivers. This is Jim.


Here is the swim start. The ripple in the water is the 2000+ athletes.

Edde rode in the car with me and my driver on this race and made my day sooo much easier. He would jump out of the car and see what the athlete needed while I got the parts and the tools ready. It made things way quicker. It was good for our driver to see as well. He’ll know what to do next year to help his mechanic be quicker. We had a fun part of the course.
This was also the first race that I stopped to grab some lunch. This place had the best milk shake things!

The people of the Madison area rock! They were out in the middle of nowhere on these hills cheering people on like it was the Tour de France. It was the same way in town later.

There was this one aid station out there that had a pirate theme. We just had run over and get a picutre after helping a guy with a flat right in front of the aid station.




After work on Sunday, while the race was still going we spent some time at the VIP tent watching the finishers come across. I stayed until mid night to see the last ones come in. It’s amazing! Lots of ordinary looking people completed the Ironman.

Then at last...pack up day.

More to come in November!

Ironman Kentucky 2008

Ironman Kentucky 2008. Louisville, KY. I have driven past Louisville several times on my way out west, but I have not been in the city. We only got to see a 4 block section of town, but what we saw was cool.



We are staying in the Galt House. It is a twin tower set up on the river.


We are on the upper floors which makes for a great veiw.





The Expo is down stairs in one of the ballrooms. Very convenient! Also, there is plenty of food around. Being right in downtown we have the opportunity to walk just a few blocks for dinner and there is a great choice of places to eat. We have not needed it yet as it has been very nice here so far, but there is some outdoor air conditioning in this one part of town.
Louisville is the home of Muhamid Ali.



Also lots of river boats. I ran past them in the mornings.







On the night before the race we went to World Fest which was right next to our hotel. A street fest with foods and music from all parts of the world. We each had something to eat from a different country. Later we found some Kettle Corn being made on the spot. There was also this really big guy walking around.












There are lots of river side parks including "the Great Lawn" Where the swim / bike tranistion was located. As usual I was sent out to transition on Saturday to take care of last minute repairs as the athletes put their bikes in place for the race. Bill was out there with me for a while and then was called back indoors because they were slammed in there.


Before things got super busy Chuck a very parttime worker for us gave haircuts to the whole gang. He also competed in the Ironman. He's 68 yrs old! There's more on him further in the blog.









At times on days before the race we were super busy. We fixed everything from simple tire changes to setting up a whole new bike for a woman who damaged hers while out on a training ride a few days before the race.










B.O.B. At the "fish bowl" (a hotel bar that had a fish tank as counter for a bar)after a long day in the trenches.










On race morning (4:30 am to be exact)we all headed to transition to pump tires and see if anyone needed any more last minute repairs. Some of the athletes are so nervous they can hardly hold on to their bikes. This particular morning some of the retail guys came out to help us pump.
Dennis.


Wayne.


Also, Cid Jr is helping Les out at the home base.



We were treated to an absolutely awesome sunrise.


















As the swimmers make their way to the swim start further up the Ohio river we prepared to load our support vehiciles for our on course support. This race they gave us rental Fords (the race sponsor is Ford) and local volunteers to drive for us.

My driver was an avid cyclist named Bobbie. She was awesome!









While we were loading the cars there were hot air ballons being filled near by. All part of the show, but not something done at every race.


Out on the course there were some beautiful sights.





After a very long day on the course we were treated to the best VIP dinner this year thus far at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was long enough and late enough that the whole gang got to go. This is the crew that was there when I was there.
Bob, Bill, Lawrence and his girlfriend (from KS) Meghan, Judith, and Angie.






After the VIP dinner is when the real excitement for the week happened. Chuck the 68 year old guy above that was giving the hair cuts was about to come in to the finish line. We hung out and waited for him after being up since 4 am working. Just about the whole gang went about 100 yds down the street to meet him and cheer him on. There was a security guard hanging out down there. When Chuck came we were hollering and screaming for him. Then as he passed by us we fell right in with him overwheling the security guard and ran to the finish line side by side with Chuck. It was so awesome. He ended up coming in first place and now he is going to Kona in Oct for the championships!



The following is an excerpt from Judith our Sugoi Rep. (That's a clothing company.)

When you all waited for Chuck to finish that Sunday and when you guys ran with him through the finish, I was very moved by the scene. When I came back to the hotel I suddenly found myself writing a few lines.....I called it "FRIENDS".

"Someone who makes you laugh and inspires your soul. He is not the entire puzzle but adds a huge piece, you would miss it, if it disappeared. Someone you can tell to shut up and is not being offended. Because he knows how to take you. You don't have to explain because he learned to hear you without speaking. Someone you want to join when you cross the finish line. Who wants to be there to see you finish. Someone you want to share joyful moments with and is greatful for it. It makes him happy, too. Someone who knows where you are on the course when it hurts the most. Who tricks security to shout you through the finish. They make you proud. You make them proud. Friends. Never take them for granted. Treat them as your treasure. Precious. Precious treasure."


Thanks Judith! We were all moved by the event as well. We also all had sore throats the next day from screaming for him.

Then loading day. Everyone was pretty tired and grumpy. Finally with the truck loaded and the sales numbers in Cid took us to dinner at the hotel resturant. The food was pretty good but the service was extremely slow. We ended up with free ice creams out of the deal.









The next day Les, Lawrence and I jumped in the truck and headed north to WI. Les is checking out the truck before the trip. Everyone else flew.


More Pics that were taken by Dennis.