Ironman - Switzerland - RW Virtual Supporters Club

I can't come tomorrow - sorry chaps.

:o(

Can I do an online “virtual” race report of the day….?

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).

Initially there were hiccups with PC’s receiving data (mine crashed twice) and times getting buggered up. There were highs and lows as we realised that there was stuff going on that we were way behind with. One by one we watched the times coming in for the swim… we were aching and willing them in onto the shore one by one and each time a time came in – someone pressed F5 and cut and posted. We waited and panicked and worried and sent thoughts and encouragement as DD’s time was last to come in.

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.

The bike times are bu99ered but as the run lap times start coming in we realise that various pirates are on the marathon run and we’re looking at the home straight. Waaaaaaabit is still doing the psyching everyone up thing and I have to say, think I would have collapsed with the tension if it weren’t for that bunny hopping around the screen. At 4.10pm (UK time) someone realises that TC is on the home lap and his lap splits are looking pretty even… it quickly becomes apparent that he’s going to be first home. At 16.30 a couple of data feeds fail – Waaaaaaaabit’s is one of them so we’re down to a couple of updaters and huge encouragement. There’s confusion about times and then someone starts updating positioning as well as times and we realise that all the pirates are not too far apart and the tension is unbelievable.

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.

Sorry guys, by the time Ms Slug gets home from work tomorrow it will be too late to travel up to London - especially as we are both 'racing' the next day. I promise that we will raise a glass or 2 in your honour though.

I can't come either - too far from Edinburgh, and anyway I'll be too busy training for IM germany 2006.

70 mile bike ride, Debbo???? :o)

Nah, just a few miles running. I am going for a bike ride now though for an hour. ;)

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)

...and to compliment CADs report, a big up to Cath who was also one of the data distribution team.

That was a great report Cath xxxx

Tee hee hee - good report Cath !
x

Hey guys,

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

That pic of Dick... With his top undone...







I'm rendered speechless.

Oooh Jon - read that post wrong then

:-O

and thankyou... thankyou

<takes a bow>

I ended up with cramp in my right thumb for most of monday!

;o)

next year the pirates are going to germany!

woo hoo

see the thread on tri.

I'm not coming. No.

Honestly, I'm not.

CAD you know you want to :o)

Great virtual report there....accurately sums up what I read when I got back....Well done guys!