How to spectate an Ironman

This tip is for all your family members, and admittedly we may need some help with this one so feel free to comment if you’ve got a tried and true method for spectating.

Items required for spectating:
Lawn chair, blanket, pillow – something to sit on or lie down on
Laptop, iPhone, netbook, other smart phone – something to get online with
Food and water
Money for buying beer, food, coffee, water
Camera
Map of the course
Start list with numbers

A book to read
Binoculars
Noise making device – bell or something to smash together
Flag and sign to cheer on your crew!!
Sunscreen
Stop watch
Skateboard, rollerblades, bike – something to navigate the run course effectively and watch from multiple locations.

Aside from watching your friend or family member come across the finish line, you definitely have to watch the swim start.  Don’t even think of sleeping in, 2000 people throwing themselves into the water at the sound of the gun is something that will spark your adrenaline and get you going no matter how tired you are.   Getting a good vantage point is hard, though, so stake your spot early and have some binoculars handy.

You also have to watch either the swim exit or the start of the bike.  It’s next to impossible to watch both except perhaps at the most spectator friendly Ironman venues.  Find shortcuts and RUN! Use noise making device here, great for camera time as well.

Now pull out that lawn chair or blanket and find yourself a spot on the course to watch the next available viewing point.  Most Ironman events are getting good at having the athletes come in and out of town for at least the first 30-40km of the bike – but there are events out there where your athlete will be completely gone for at least 5 hours.  This is where your WiFi or 3G enabled device comes in handy.  Check out this website: http://www.trakkersgps.com/, with that little piece of equipment you can track your athlete online and find out exactly how they’re doing.  Pretty cool stuff.

Grabbing a nap or going for your own little swim is a good idea while they’re on the bike.  It’ll keep you refreshed and ready to go once they come back into town.

Now they’re getting close to the run, hopefully you’re still cheering.  If not, you need more beer, coffee, and food – choose your weapon.  Mount your trusty steed (skateboard, bike, rollerblades, segway) and get out on the run course armed with your camera and motivational words to keep your athlete going.  Find out what they want to hear before the race starts.  Perhaps they’ve been working on a particular aspect of their run form – remind them to do it well.  Perhaps they forget to drink enough – remind them.  Maybe they want splits.  Maybe they just want you to keep quiet – that’s ok too!!

Now get yourself to the finish line and cheer them across.  The day is almost over. If you’ve done it right, you will be emotionally drained and exhausted, but hopefully not starving and completely dehydrated. Then it is on to waiting outside the med tent, helping pick up equipment, puke patrol, and hopefully a good party the next day!