What a weekend

My heart is full today. A journey that began one year ago yesterday when I got a text that 3 had signed up for Ironman Wisconsin. I texted John at an elders' meeting and told him he needed to think about it quick. I woke up the next morning to hear we were headed to Wisconsin. Meanwhile, he wasn't running because he was in so much pain. Signing up for a race a year away is so risky. But we tried everything to get him well and longed for the day we could get out and ride bikes together again. We started back with a metric century in the cold in April; we rode so slow that when we came in (second from last) instead of congratulations, they asked if we were ok!; and did i mention there were 3 crashes that day-- rough start! When J got the go-ahead from the podiatrist, the real journey began. About 3.5 months of training brought us to this weekend. It was not easy to leave Ek behind, but I trusted God's plan for her that weekend too. Madison was so beautiful. Weather was cool and a bit raining leading up to it. John was sore and achy- ready to race. We were humbled to be there. Always interesting to be around people like you. No one thought we were crazy, no one shook their head in disbelief over the distance, we were just all there to get to the finish line. The finish line was one of the first things we saw when we got there, 2 blocks from our hotel :) We passed it 20 times a day and wondered what it would be like. Race day came and after L spilled 2 cups of hot chocolate, we finally found J at his bike, getting it all ready. We walked with an ominous crowd all moving in the same direction in sweatshirts to watch 2500+ get in a lake. We worked our way to some rocks on the edge of the lake and while our stomachs turned. Star spangled banner while the athletes entered the water. And then all of the sudden, without a count down, a cannon. They're off. 140.6 miles to go. My stomach has butterflies thinking of it again. It was a long hour plus waiting to see his face. Roxy pushed our way to a curb at the entrance of the parking deck in hopes of seeing them. I prayed for God to not let me miss him. We waited and clapped and cheered while water from wet suits hit our faces. Finally I hear Roxy say- Katharine- John!! Oh I could cry! There he was smiling running toward me. I jumped up- patted his shoulder as he ran by. And he's off on the bike. for 6 plus hours. He said he felt like he was on the tour, fans in crazy outfits with crazy posters like- if anyone could do it then your mama could. He said they went through villages with people cheering their hearts out. We went to wait in front of the capital to see our runners. We got there 2 hours early. but I wasn't going to miss them. We decorated the road with chalk. We laid on our backs in the grass. We snacked. We played. The pros came 35 minutes before prediction. So focused and steady. We tracked and waited. waited and tracked. Finally Ronda. And John. And Justin. And Erwin. 1:15 minutes apart. We waited a minute, turned the other way to wait for them again. Then turned again. The kids played, made new friends, only got in one fist fight, cleaned park benches, colored sidewalks, played duck duck goose with new friends, chased dogs, played dogs, drank icees, ate snacks, gave high 5's, rang cow bells, cheered, encouraged. And then. Off to the finish line. That is a place like no other. They weren't cheering for the winners. They were cheering for anyone bold enough to step to the start line and determined enough to reach the finish line. Tears again. Seeing the looks on their faces was so overwhelming. Some flew and floated down, some gave high fives, some asked for more cheers, some stopped to hug, some hugged the one they were running along side. They all heard their name. Some collapsed as soon as they crossed, some got stronger when they crossed. Some laughed, some cried. I was overwhelmed by strangers, I was about to explode waiting for John. The anticipation was almost too much. Finally I saw him, from at least 100 yards away. He gave high 5's all the way down. He didn't see me, but I sure saw him. I saw him live a dream. I can almost not believe it. I saw him live a dream. Mike said-- John Williams, from Dublin, Georgia, You are an Ironman! Its what we waited for. Its what he worked for. Its what we hoped and dreamed for. It won't compare to the arrival in heaven to hear-- well done, good and faithful servant. So I can only imagine what that will be like. I hope there are bleachers and a big screen there too. It was so loud with applause and music and cheering, laughter and tears. You could hear and feel and see the joy. What in the world will it be like there? Like nothing of this world. But maybe something like Sunday night.