IRON MAN

 This is all the participants going through the transition area to jump into the water for the swim.  Girls in pink caps, guys in green.  There were over 2500 people.  Josh finished 4 hundred and something overall and 75th in his age group, which was one of the largest.  With around 200 professional athletes participating, that is pretty amazing.  In the bike and run, Josh passed well over 700 people!

 coming out of the transition area, can you see all the bikes lined up?  It was amazing

 Jumping into Tempe Town Lake a frigid 61 degrees

 Swimming to the starting line.  There were two bridges across the lake lined with people watching the start of the swim.

 All lined up on the starting line......

 A real cannon was shot to signify to start of Iron Man.  Look at those arms swim!!!  I stayed up on the bridge to watch the swim.  There were several participants who didn't make it in before the cut off at 2 1/2 hours.  A 2.4 mile swim is a heck of a long way.  I watched a guy named Glenn trying with all his might to swim in before the cut off.  His whole family was cheering from the bridge, "you are almost there.  You can do it."  He didn't make it in before the cut off, but insisted on completing the swim.  Inspiring, yes!

 Josh coming in from a 112 mile bike ride.  We were able to see him 3 times on his bike as the course was a 37ish mile loop.  We watched a paraplegic man riding his bike along the course using only his arms for 112 miles.  It was absolutely amazing.

 Coming in from his bike ride to change into running clothes after over 7 hours at this point, he only had to run a MARATHON......There were several people who didn't make the bike cut off or came in before the 112 or just refused to run after getting off their bikes.

 Finding his gear...His only mistake in the bike was in his own words, "running over an old lady".  "I really shouldn't have done that" he said.  He was stretching his neck and when he looked up there she was going a lot slower than he and BOOM.  He still has serious road rash on his knee and inside right thigh.  The lady wasn't so happy.  She said, "What the f was that?" probably the first clue that she didn't appreciate being ran over by Josh.  He apologized profusely and then slowed way down because he didn't want to catch her and get yelled at again.  He was coming in on his last lap and she had 2 to go.

 The first loop, Josh didn't look so good.  He told me after that he was extremely nauseated and sore from wrecking his bike.  Also, had just had sunscreen rubbed into his fresh wounds....My dad said, "wow, if Josh doesn't find his mojo, He is going down". 

 There were several spots to see your runner on this course, which was so cool.  The run was an 8ish mile loop and I got to see Josh 6 different times.  Some one told him to start drinking coke, and he started feeling better. 

 Last lap about 5 miles to go....it was so fun to yell at him and slap his buns on the run.  He had an extreme side ache here from lack of electrolytes.  It was awesome to have my mom, dad, Bryce, Danette, Mark, Amy, and their kids get to see him accomplish such an amazing goal.  My mom was giddy when she got to slap his hand!  Amy, Danette, and I yelled at everyone running by.  Their number also listed their name, so you could yell and they loved it.  We were like "you got this Kathy, you are amazing"  It was so fun and there was so much energy and excitement.  We watched a lady with one leg run by, lots of older people, and people with injuries, and they were all pressing forward to meet a life long goal.

 The finish was the best part of the entire day.  It was amazing watching all these people come into that area and hear, "Josh Sorensen, you are an IRON MAN"  They would add their home town and occupation also.  And if you were a first timer like over 1000 people in this race, the guy would say, "you are an Iron Man for the first time in your life".  Josh slapped hands into the finish line and then did an amazing heel click over the line.  He came in at 11 hours 11 minutes, which was faster than the winner of the first Iron Man.  He looks just a bit worn down here, you think?

 So proud of this guy!!!  What makes this day so amazing is knowing the hard work and training that went into accomplishing this goal.  He had to prepare and be extremely disciplined and that is what makes it all that more amazing and special.  He and most finishers were just shivering.  Once your body stops moving after so many hours, it is really easy to go into shock and hypothermia from change in temperature.

Me, Netti, and Bryce were there all day and collected his gear after the race (Team Josh Pit Crew).  He asked for a coke slushy,an extreme amount of coke, 2 bags of ice to bath with, and some ribs.  We were happy to take care of him.  Bryce insisted on buying him a ton of Iron Man gear from the store.  He was like, "Did you see what he was doing?, He needs that!" Hooray for my studly IRONMAN hubby!!!!!
 There were so many people sending messages to Josh all day long that I wanted him to remember a few:

"Josh, good luck in your iron man.  Keep me posted during the race.  I am sure proud of you."  "Kids are so proud of their Dad, as are Gay and I.  Keep the updates coming"--Dad
"Congratulations on your race.  You said only once but if it happens again, I will be there.  Love you.  I am so proud of you."  Ma
" How are we suppose to support Team Josh without Josh updates"  "Josh is our hero.  Come home safe."  Daniel and Chelsea
"Tell Josh good luck and not to run himself to death.  I am sure it would be the death of me"  Gayleen
" WOW, He is a stud.  Tell him we have been thinking of him and checking the ironmanlive site.  What an accomplishment." Dirk and Sarah
"Aaron and I were amazed by Josh, his time was insane.... Especially after seeing his injury. An incredible goal to set out and accomplish. He has totally inspired me"  Hilary and Aaron
"I would have loved to be there and watch a race of that magnitude. I can't imagine how exhausted Josh must have been. What an amazing accomplishment. I can't get over it!" Jennie 
"Thanks for the info. He is doing great. Josh is my hero. Great job on finishing Josh! I have been following you all day."  Matt H.
"So proud of you Josh! Bet you hurt alllll over !!" Gram R
"Absolutely amazing!  Extra points for running over lady and f bomb.  Tell him great job, real proud of him"  Rich

And tons more Wows, amazings, inspirings, and good lucks!  We were extremely overwhelmed by all the love and support.  It means a great deal to both of us!