Monday, October 10, 2011

Finish Strong

You've put in thousands training miles.  You have a Plan A, a Plan B and a few Plan C's.  Your nutrition is dialed in with NASA-like precision.  You previewed the course.  Twice.  And then on race day, you summoned every ounce of energy within you and left it out there on the course.  And at the end of 140.6 miles...you just kinda start walking around.
Sadly, one of the most overlooked details of Ironman distance training is the finish.  After all of this effort.  Blood.  Sweat.  Tears.  Passion.  The climax of such an accomplishment begs for something greater than a casual arm wave.
Thankfully, some of the finishers at this weekend's Ironman World Championship were happy to demonstrate some advance finishing techniques.  So before you find yourself nearing the finishers chute with nothing in mind - check out some of these ideas:
The tape break.  Even cool if you add a fruity little hop - since you are the guy who got there when there was a finisher's tape.
The Blazeman Roll.  A classy tribute to a great man.  If Chrissie does it - you can't go wrong.
The gang sign.  Represent, yo.  Is that an "M" or an "H"?
The Toyota jump.  Maybe I'm dating myself.
The Upward dog.  Namste, man.
The double-heel-kick holding a rubber chicken.  Really.
The classic bow.  Well done maestro.  Well done.
The "I may need a little help here" 140.59999 stagger.
The hug a buddy finish.  It's the least you can do after drafting off him for 110 miles.
The Mr. Olympia.  Pumping Iron man.
The Jersey Shore Fist Pump.  Swim Bike Run.  Gym Tan Laundry. 
Hell yeah.

(All photos are courtesy of Universal Sports who streamed the whole race form start to finish - those guys rock.)

As always, please take a second to check out the last giveaway benefiting the Hands and Feet Project - and win yourself a $100 gift card to Trisports.com or Roadrunnersports.com.  Thanks!

4 comments:

  1. love the pics..... which one will you do?

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  2. Great finish pics! And I am with Heidi which one are you going to do?

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  3. I dont know what I would do after finishing an 140.6, I will bet I would sob like a baby

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  4. Hahaha I'm just seeing this now! I'm a bit late on this one. Love all of these pictures. I always want to do something silly at the end of a race but I get really embarrassed! Honestly though, who cares?? These people deserve to do whatever they want after tackling such an amazing race!

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