Early Saturday morning, I headed downtown. I had made the commitment to volunteer in the registration tent for the CDA Ironman triathlon. The sun shone brightly as if doing its best to fulfill the Irish blessing of:
“ May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,”
Athletes were riding their bikes, running or swimming in Lake Coeur d’ Alene. I entered the largest tent in Sherman Park, It stood as evidence of the hours of preparation by volunteers and workers. I had been downtown earlier in the week and thought that things were well organized, but now specially marked cars were on display, tents had been added, and hundreds of volunteers were quietly going about doing their duties, putting up barriers, laying out bags for the participants or giving directions.
I entered the tent where the athletes could register for next years’ event. Lap top computers were being set up. So many volunteers had showed up that we were asked to double up. One person was to enter information and the other person watched to make sure the numbers and names were entered correctly.
I was able to w
ork with a computer. A lovely young lady from the Ironman Headquarters, named Kristen Stantz just started helping me.
I didn’t know when we started talking that she was with the organization and had probably helped train hundreds of volunteers. She was very personable and just started helping me. She had come dressed for warm weather but because it was cool that morning she was bundled in a blanket and a cap. While the warm weather did show up later in the day, in the early hours of the morning the wind was nippy. I wished I had brought my blanket!
As we talked, I asked her what she liked the most about her job and she said, “ “I love the travel; I get to go to places I never thought to travel to…like Coeur d’ Alene.” I asked her what she thought of the town and she replied. “I love it! I would definitely bring my family back here!” I liked hearing this, as I also love our town.
As a non- athlete, I didn’t realize that the Iron man organization, http://ironman.com is a Florida-based company. Recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products, they are supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, Dell, Timex and Gatorade. Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Andrew Messick is their Chief Executive Officer. The organization began in 1978 and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event.
Congratulations to the 2011 Ford Ironman winner’s:
Men’s Division: Craig Alexander from Australia, with Maik Twelsiek and Tom Evans placing 1st and 2nd respectively and to Julie Diben from Great Britain, with Caitlin Snow and Haley Cooper-Scott placing 1st and 2nd in the Women’s Division. http://ironman.com/events/ironman/coeurdalene/shawn-skene-recaps-the-record-breaking-day-in-idaho-at-ford-ironman-coeur-dalene#ixzz1QTKhGuhe
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