IronSons - Kona 2012

Sons are great; but TWO sons are something else. If you have one son, you understand about the dirt, the tonka trucks, the matchbox cars, the guns and swords and pink Barbie cars (that's ok, too!).  But you have to have 2 sons to understand that the energy level doesn't just double -- it triples! With 2 sons, you understand about the nightly, sweaty, wrestling-to-tears-matches

and the never ending competition in everything -- from who got the bigger ice cream cone to who is the fastest runner. If there is more than a 2 year difference in age (as there was with my boys), it's tough to be the younger son and keep up with big brother who is, well, bigger.

 

I was reminded of the dynamics of 2 sons yesterday as I watched my first Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona via live feed. I was following the eldest son of TriBabe coach extraordinnaire, LisaB, as he competed as the youngest of over 1500 competitors. DANEger (his nickname) is just 19. He qualified during the summer at his very first Ironman competiton ever. The Kona event is very special -- the super bowl of Ironman Triathlons. He was not at Kona as an Inspiration Competitor (those with a great story or battling disease). He was not there as a Legacy Competitor (age groupers, not necessarily fast, but who have done at least 12 Ironmans). He wasn't one of the few Big Island residents that are allowed to compete. He wasn't one of the Lottery winners picked out of a hat. He was there because he QUALIFIED. He is FAST! While, LisaB's nickname is TriTurtle, his other nickname is TriHare. And it is well-deserved in the more than half a dozen years he has been competing in triathlons and assisting his mother in coaching.

I have been learning Triathlon techniques and tips from LisaB for a few years now. And even as she was supporting her son at Kona she was educating me. I learned that there is a Coffee Boat for triathlon athletes to swim out to during training swims to get their morning coffee.  I learned that you can't be late for the Underwear Run or you will be forced to just stand and watch (is that so bad??) as all the lean, buff, athletes run by in their teeny, tiny BGPs (big, girl panties) or tighty-whities (for the guys). I learned that the Energy Lab was not a station for granting tired competitors that scientific edge in high tech nutrition to boost them to the finish line. Instead, it is the infamous energy-depleting section of the run course along intensely hot and hilly lava fields.


I can't even imagine swimming near the course line on the right!

As I continually updated the 'athlete tracker' on ironman.com on DANEger's bib number, I was impressed to see he completed the 2.4 mile swim in 1:04 and the 112 mile bike ride in 5:34. This means he not only survived the crazy 'swim of death', but had actually posted a great swim time! I listened all day as the announcers described the even harsher heat and wind than normal on the bike course, and was proud to see his bike time show a respectable 20+ mph.


Then the news came that DANEger was struggling with GI issues on the run. I don't know exactly why he suffered, although I can imagine that heat stroke alone could cause big problems. Hundreds of Tribabe ladies collectively following his progress sent up PINK prayers and good wishes for him to recover quickly. But it wasn't to be. He struggled through the entire run, which became a painful walk of endurance. Mom accompanied him the last 6 miles, reminding him of all the reasons he had to COMPLETE this race.

But the real story began when LisaB handed her smartphone to her younger son, DB, and asked him to keep updating the TriBabe ladies while she attended to her oldest. DB, 14ish, then kept us all informed about the status of Big Bro.  For a few hours he kept the posts coming with the details that we were all on the edge of our seats couches, waiting to hear.  His updates were short and to the point, but if one read between the lines, you could just hear the love and concern he had for his brother.

I don't personally know DANEger or DB well. The closest I've gotten to DANEger was when he lead a brick last summer and I followed him on my bike for about one minute before he flew away from me like I was peddling backwards. And the most I know about DB is that he has always been a cheerful assistant during training and races --yelling encouragement to all the TriBabe ladies passing him by.

I don't know what DANEger and DB's brotherly relationship is. Maybe there is some competitive sibling rivalry. Maybe they bicker and fight over little things. Maybe they are very close. Regardless, I can bet that DANEger, being older, has taught DB a thing or two over the years (and I'm not just talking about how to get away with stuff). But for sure he taught him a few important life lessons yesterday, too. To never give up, no matter how disappointed you are, or no matter how much pain you are in. To finish what you start. To run the finish when you feel like crawling. To never give up. To finish the race.

DANEger COMPLETing the race

And that DANEger did! 15 hours and 23 minutes from start to finish, he completed Ironman Kona 2012. His 26 mile marathon run was a painful 8+ hours long, but I imagine that his years of assisting in TriBabe training was paid back as he was 'carried along' by hundreds of these TriBabe ladies in spirit -- all who were intently following the updates posted by his little brother.

Thank you, LisaB (and hubby), for raising 2 fine sons. Through the last few years you have taught me a lot about Triathlon. And yesterday I learned from your sons, too. And I am very grateful to know you all.

Congratulations, Ironman DANEger! You'll always be the TriHare to all of your TriBabe supporters!