My MAN the IRONMAN!

This time last year I had no idea what an ironman was. Well, I had a vague idea....but did not really know what it involved. These past few months I quickly learned that it means a lot of things. HARD work, early mornings, late nights, time away from babies (and hot wife,) no relaxing Saturdays and mental toughness.....just to name a few. :)

Then the weekend of Halloween, November 1st, all this hard work paid off when Chris became one at the Panama City, FL Ironman. It was one of the most remarkable events I have ever witnessed and was truly inspiring. It starts off with a 2.4 mile swim (in the ocean,) 112 mile bike and a 26.2 (marathon) run. INSANE! They start at 7:00 in the morning and it goes until midnight. There were so many people there supporting over 2200 athletes. Every spectator quickly became like family and we all cheered for everyone. What made it really fun was that there were 4 other friends from our own church ward who did it too and we had a great support system. Isn't this sign fabulous? This was either Danielle or Annita's doing but either way so clever!!! The girls and I made our signs the day before and had them put out on the course so he could see them.

Here is our group. Steve and Kim Gawrys, Chris, Blake Haines and Darin Long
Annnnnnd there off. Watching all the swimmers run into the water and swim out past buoy's you can barely see....twice...was intense. For most people I think this is the hardest part. They are nervous, it is cold, a bit dangerous and a complete mosh pit in water. As a swimmer I would hate to do 2 laps, but as a spectator it was great. I saw Chris after 1 lap (32 minutes) and coming out of the ocean (1:12.)

They then run up the beach, get their wet suits pulled off and they go to the transition point to change into bike gear. I then got to see him head out on the bike. At that point Chris' Dad, Blakes Dad, Danielle and Dave Watson all rented Mopeds and went out on the course. This was great for me as I knew right where he was and knew when to go back down to the course! He finished in 6 hours 24 seconds!

Clearly he isn't running in this picture. He is changing his socks. Up until this point, every time I saw him he looked GREAT. I couldn't believe it. He was smiling and happy. The marathon is 2 laps as well. This is after the first lap and starting the second. This was where he looked like a normal person who would have been hating life at this point. :)

His marathon time was 4:12. He really hates that time but HELLO! That time after all that he had done before is pretty great if you ask me. He finished in 11:40:31.

CHRIS: Katie, Lauren, Brooklyn and I are so proud of you! What an accomplishment. Soooo glad it's over, but really amazed at what you were able to do. You make us so proud!