So Saturday was according to Jeff the hardest thing he has ever had to do - Becoming an Iron Man. At 7 AM he started the swim. Even though there was three foot waves and many were pulled out of the swim Jeff was able to finish his 2.4 mile swim in 1 hour 27 Min. He said that in the beginning he really felt like it was dangerous and said he would have most likely pulled out if he would have seen a boat right then. But by the time he saw a boat he said he had found his rhythm and knew he could make it.
He then got on the bike and started a grueling 112 mile bike ride. The wind was not friendly to those riding the bike that day. Jeff said he would be super excited to turn a corner hoping to escape a head wind and the wind would shift and still be trying to push him back. He said the bike was super tough but the insane swim kept him going. He kept thinking 'I didn't finish that crazy swim to give up on the bike.' He said he was so exhausted and his emotions were out of control. Me and the kids were there to cheer him on at the start of the second loop and he said he got a little emotional seeing us. 8 hours after getting onto the bike he finally was able to get off and start the marathon. As I was waiting for him to finish the bike I had two men come up to their wives right next to me in tears telling them how hard of a day it was for them. Let me tell you that didn't help my anxiety for Jeff.
He came over and talked to me for a second before starting the run and told me he was tired but he was going to finish. He told me that the swim was too hard not to finish. So completely exhausted he started the 26.2 mile marathon. He was such a champ he ran when he could he walked when he couldn't. Jeff and I were both touched by the amazing support of the volunteers, the spectators, the city workers and most of all our sweet friends who supported him through calls, texting, praying for him, and those who were there. He had amazing friends who ran and walked with him most of the way. When he started his last 8 mile loop he had a group of his wonderful friends - Josh, Taylor and Paul who told him they wouldn't leave him if he needed them. He later told me he doesn't think he could have made it that last lap without those guys. So they walked with him for five miles and then as he passed my corner I took over and Jeff and I walked the last three miles (I was in flip flops I might add )to finish 28 minutes before the cut off. Those last three miles were brutal (well the last 26 were actually) but he did it and I'm so proud of him. He passed the finish lines and heard the words he had been waiting for, "Jeff Winger, You are an Iron Man." He passed the finish line at 16 hours 31 Min. He did an amazing job and we are all proud that he was able co accomplish such a feat! The announcer said that he had announced in a ton of races and never seen a first place person come in over 9 hours. This winner was 9:06. Just shows what a tough day it was. Afterward Jeff did tell us he didn't feel like an Iron Man he felt like a Jello Man :)
We are grateful to all of those who came out to cheer him on- Taylor, Josh, Ember, Paul, Diane, Skylee, Jaston, my Mom and Dad, Teona and Wayne and Greg. We also had friends and family watching at home and praying which means so much. I don't think either one of us really understood what all was entailed in doing this Iron Man. I was a mess of emotions- anxiety, gratitude, relief, hope, exhaustion and etc. Those people who were able to do any part of the Iron Man are amazing in my book and I am so proud of my husband for his amazing dedication and strength. Love you babe!
