Sun, sweat and satisfaction

Meet Pat and Michelle...they just completed the 140.6 mile Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday, September 7th. Amazing, right? Well, that's not the whole story. Both Pat and Michelle couldn't swim more than a length in a pool a year ago. After a year of training, they both made it and now are Ironmen. How'd they do it, you might ask? First and foremost it was because of their unbreakable spirit and motivation to finish this race of endurance.

Secondly, it was because of the Endurance House's Becoming An Ironman Team. Endurance House is where I work part-time to earn a few more bucks to afford my triathlon/endurance lifestyle. Last year, Endurance House formed a team of like minded individuals who wanted the guidance and support to successfully finish an Ironman. Following a training plan, provided by the team coach, these athletes trained day in and day out to improve their swimming, biking and running.

This story has a happening ending as each of the team members who started the race finished it. I was out on the course the entire day cheering all of them to the finish line. My camera followed me and I took these pictures. Enjoy!!

The day of the race also marked the three year anniversary of this moment. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Congratulations to all of the Endurance House Team Members on their Ironman finish! You truly are an inspiration.

Here's Michelle starting her second loop of the 26.2 mile run portion of the Ironman

With a look of determination, Pat runs by at mile 6 of his marathon
It is the Iron-Man after all!

Sunrise over Lake Monona just before the canon started the race at 7am

What's commonly referred to as the Ironman washing machine...you can see why

This sign got the most looks as athletes went by...I wonder why

It wouldn't be the Ironman if there wasn't a little perspiration

To see the rest of the photos I took that magical day check out this link.