Ironman Arizona
Crossing an Ironman finish line is a magical feeling. I suppose it just feels good to stop moving after 140 miles of racing, but crossing an Ironman finish line is one of the greatest in sport. I finished my first Ironman triathlon several years ago in Hawaii, and I was honored to make history as the first woman on a prosthetic to finish the Ironman World Championships. Since then, people have always asked me, “Have you done another Ironman?” And I used to say, “No, not yet.” I had always planned to race in another 140.6-mile triathlon, but the truth is I was busy doing other races and live events. Finally, in the fall of 2012, I made my return to the Ironman start line. I signed up for the Ironman Arizona, and vowed to hear those words from Mike Reilly again, “Sarah Reinertsen, you are an Ironman!” I finished my 2nd Ironman on a cool November night in Tempe, Arizona and I’m very grateful to my entire team for their help and support along the way. A big, heartfelt thanks to my coach, Muddy Waters, and all my family and friends who came to AZ to watch me race (for hours!). A JOURNEY OF 140.6-MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE HOP!
Just revisiting after 5 years, I was the guy who traded places with you on the run about dozen times… , you finished 3 mins ahead of me. I tell my kids of that long quiet night on the run, we didn’t say a word to each other the whole time, just back and forth, you lead, I lead, Surreal, Hope all is well. I will never forget that race. You are a trooper.