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Ironman - Switzerland - RW Virtual Supporters Club
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:-)
ss- No!
Pirate Virtual Support was consisted mainly of Waaaaaaaabit, Iron Rose, Foggyone, Miles To Go, Imp, Ergophobic, Ferrous Ferret, Debbo, Meldy and Sezz interspersed with visits from the whole of the regulars including myself, Jon, M and a whole bunch of others. The main thing about this was to keep the thread on the top of the general page and on top of the ‘last posts’ page so that everyone knew how our crew were doing. All the people supporting had absolutely no idea where the team were in the race and what they were physically looking like, how they were doing. This had to be the biggest gathering of RW forum-vibes I’ve ever seen (it got Jon to a PC on a Sunday so it had to be good!)
So the morning started with the manic Waaaabit psyching everyone up to keep the support crew going. As the race kicked off some of us settled in for 15+ hours of hitting F5 to ensure that the whole of the forum were updated with where our kids were and what was happening. We had no idea where in the course they were, what they were looking like, what they felt like. We speculated on the heat, the pain, the torment and the agony… and still we sat and waited and watched the numbers coming out of the data stream from IM live and the other site that we used. http://services.datasport.com/2005/tri/ironman/RANG093.HTM All the time hitting the buttons and completely updating each time (learning to type fast as you go is a must).
At 08:21:50 we realised the first finisher was in… absolutely awesome at the same time as we hear via text that Cougie has set off on his run. We speculated and worried that the winner had cheated (joking of course). No worries, where are our guys…? All the time, the phones are ringing, texts flying backwards and forwards between England, Switzerland, oop North, down south etc etc. Everyone is wanting to make sure we stay on track. Everyone is watching the figures… the swim times are in and the guys are on the bike. Then Debbo posts that TC has finished his bike section and there is awe as people realise the boy is on for a bliddy good go at this. Gradually bike times start to come in and we realise there’s a bu99er up going on with either the data feed or the chips. Waiting through the times for finishing each lap is agony.
Then at 16:44 TC’s time is 10:44 with 200m to go and we’re frantically hitting F5 and waiting for the boy to come home. Amazing stuff. Absolute euphoria hits the forum when his time hit’s home… then we start looking to see who’s next home and so it continues for the next 5 hours. It’s immensely tense and traumatic. Sitting in front of the screen unable to do more than update and post encouragement as each Pirate comes home. Horrendous scrolling through the data feed positioning things to find out where everyone is. There are highs and lows and mishaps as we realise Cougie’s not about to finish and the data stream has him at the 200m stage for more than 2.5 hours!!!! Positioning gives us a good idea who is with who and where… we see FB and Mmm come in more or less together… Cougie and Garr running more or less together. We see ghosts laid to rest. PB’s set and all of it with actual taking part, physical support and screaming and shouting and virtual hugs and support back home. It was a huge day to be there…. But it was a huge day to watch on the sidelines too.
Well done chaps.
70 mile bike ride, Debbo????
I hope you're going tomorrow Wabbit, so you will be convinced about moving from the maybes to the definites.
I can't make tomorrow. I would love to go but I have a friend's wedding!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
;o)
x
Just uploaded the final set of photos here.
There are a few others so if you want them for your own photo albums, email me and I'll send them over.
All the best and thanks for a great weekend.
Daniel RW
I'm rendered speechless.
:-O
<takes a bow>
I ended up with cramp in my right thumb for most of monday!
;o)
woo hoo
see the thread on tri.
Honestly, I'm not.
do you have any finger nails left?!
my race report is still in my head, but I will try and do it today, but it was a truly awesome day, the support on the course from other pirates and spectating pirates was just amazing and I dont think I would have got round with out it.
mike looking through your photos they look good
iron rose, in answer to your questions a few pages back
me and dave have just had our tattoos done!
yes we will do another IM
thanks again for everyones support
What flavour were those HORRID Pringles they sold at the Jugendherberge?
FFFers need to know.