I heard the loudspeaker saying “... you are an Ironman” I continued to run. I finally got the the carpet. I was by myself. Then I heard it “Alan Hawse you are an Ironman”. I raised my arms in victory. I was there. My multi year journey had come to a close.
A catcher came up and put on a finisher medal, handed me a t-shirt/hat and wrapped a blanket around me (which I quickly gave back). I stood there at the finish line and took it all in. The crowd was going crazy and I felt briefly like a rock star. I needed to sit down. I saw a wheel chair and I sat down. It felt great. The volunteer asked if I needed to go to medical but I said “no”. She pushed me a dozen yards to the picture line, but I stopped and moved onto a folding chair. Then I saw Jill. Once again I was overcome by emotion. It felt great.
Then I saw my friend Lewis Jackson (a very very fast Ironman who missed the season to same injury as Jill). Then Avery showed up. Everyone was yelling. Then I looked at my watch. 10:35!!!! Wow. That was within 5 minutes of the best case. Now the celebration could start.
A few minutes later Rodney came up. He gave me a hug. The emotion of two people who had just finished great races was powerful.
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