There has been a lot of chat about the Ford Ironman 70.3 Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon here and I wanted to add one thought that is pretty important to me personally.
I’ve been in triathlons since about 1982 and done a lot of races. I’ve never been a great athlete in terms of results but certainly enjoy the events and have done a lot of them all over the world. Big fun.
I can’t remember a race I’ve enjoyed as much as this past weekend largely due to what a wonderful community of people worked on and participated in the event. It was a real treat to interact with people in person and see them on the course and trade encouragement and hellos. I really enjoyed that very much.
In the two plus decades I’ve been in the sport I have never felt such a sense of community, sportsmanship, friendship and comraderie. It was very, very nice. I really appreciate everyone who said hello during the run and bike.
You are so right Tom. For as much as Steelhead has grown, it still has a lot of ‘local race’ charm.
I don’t think I’ve been cheered on that much during any other race, from other athletes, spectators, and volunteers.
I know a lot of people put a lot of work into the race and it shows. I also think the race is finding a great balance between community support and supporting the community. I heard that the Benton Harbor football team was helping during the cleanup. Their coach said that it was going to be great to get all the left over Powerbars and such, since a lot of the kids on the team basically don’t get a lot to eat.
Whirlpool certainly stepped up with letting the race use their facilities and providing excellent awards. I put my Kitchenaid (owned by Whirlpool) blender to good use on Sunday.
I agree. I was just telling a friend that I have never had so much fun in a triathlon- despite the fact that Trianthes kicked the piss out of me- but I will rise from the ashes my friend, and we will battle again. I saw everyone I knew out there and there sure was a lot of fun banter- what a good time. Back to the drawing board trianthes- I aint dead yet
Lets give another shot out for who ever designed the T-shirt. I’ve only been doing tris for 5 years but that is the best race shirt I have gotten including IM and will actually wear that shirt out in public and not to wash my bike.
There has been a lot of chat about the Ford Ironman 70.3 Whirlpool Steelhead Triathlon here and I wanted to add one thought that is pretty important to me personally.
I’ve been in triathlons since about 1982 and done a lot of races. I’ve never been a great athlete in terms of results but certainly enjoy the events and have done a lot of them all over the world. Big fun.
I can’t remember a race I’ve enjoyed as much as this past weekend largely due to what a wonderful community of people worked on and participated in the event. It was a real treat to interact with people in person and see them on the course and trade encouragement and hellos. I really enjoyed that very much.
In the two plus decades I’ve been in the sport I have never felt such a sense of community, sportsmanship, friendship and comraderie. It was very, very nice. I really appreciate everyone who said hello during the run and bike.
That was a great weekend and a great race.
Tom-
You’re too modest. I saw you results and sub5 hrs in a HIM is still a kick ass time if I remember correctly., especially for a full time shop owner and top ST poster ; )
Congrats to Sara too. WOW ! she’s pretty damn fast.
Thanks. I was really enjoying the race and just sort of touring along when I looked down at my watch at mile 8 on the run and did the math. I started thinking, “Hey, wait a minute, if I focus I might break 5 hours here…” Then I got a trifle less social and started racing. It felt pretty darn good. I really enjoyed it.
Sarah improved her run by 20 minutes over last year. She has done a tremendous amount of work and I think it is really going to pay off for her at IM Western Australia in December. She had a good race and made her goal time and was very pleased with that.
tom…i couldn’t agree more. this past weekend was truly something special. maybe it was the day/weather, the 5 star race put on by tom z and company, but the genuine care that the athletes had for each other was unbelievable. i saw so many athletes stopping to see if someone was ok, give words of encouragement or a congratulations after the race. it’s things like this that will bring us back again to do this race and realize that there is no other sport that can be as rewarding regardless of your time. thanks for your smile and words of encouragement during the race and it was nice to talk you after the race and meet sara. good luck in wisconsin and west. australia.
Thank you for the supportive feedback Tom! Congratulations on your great finish time! I was sorry to have missed the opportunity to say hi to you and Sarah, but apparently our paths did not cross. I will be sure to watch for and cheer you on in Madison. -Christine
