A few months ago, when Ironman (the movie) was first being advertised, that same song would pop up near the end of the ads on TV. Probably much to Mister P’s chagrin, it always took me back to my Ironman last year. Only it wasn’t taking me back to my finish. It took me back to 78-year-young Frank Farrar’s finish.
(please watch all 49 seconds)
Frank is nearing the arch in the distance at the start of the video, just as Ozzy’s Iron Man is starting to play. I’m standing near the finish line with my camera in the air, recording a video. Frank runs through the cheering crowds on his way to finishing Ironman WI. Just before the finish line (and directly in front of me), Frank stops, takes off his hat, and bows to the roars of the crowd. What a guy. In the process, he nearly collapses. He turns around, and crosses the line as the official last place finisher of IM WI 2007 (in 16:56:37).
I was screaming. I was crying. I still tear up each time I watch this. It takes me back to the entire day that was Ironman. I wanted to share this video with you all. If Frank can do this, I can reach my goal at Grandmas Marathon in just over 3 weeks, bad heel and all.
Mister P, don’t worry: this was the only time during the entire evening that I heard this song being played. As for you, this will be your run in a few weeks. Enjoy it. Absorb it all. It will be your moment.
OK, maybe if I have 23 seconds before midnight and Iron Man is playing on the speakers, I just might not wait for the next song!
ReplyDelete(aka Mister P)
Oh jeez, when did you become "wedgie" from "Mister P"??? I feel like a dolt. Oops...
ReplyDeleteFantastic clip!!
ReplyDeleteI love that clip. I missed it because we had IronMomJenny's daughter with us and the poor kid was whipped after a very long day of cheerleading.
ReplyDeleteWhere others hear "Ironman" I hear AC/DC and the sounds of my youth.
wait - I meant Black Sabbath Paranoid which was also from my youth.
ReplyDeleteKiller clip!
ReplyDeleteI was called Mister P. at work for a long time but it just never stuck with my Tri Team, who insist on calling me "Wedgie". So I have bowed to their demands. After CdA, I will probably fight against "IronWedgie" however; that just sounds too painful!
ReplyDeleteIsn't there even more to story of Frank? Like didn't he miss the Wisconsin IM finish by a matter of minutes last year? I seem to recall he's a bit of a legend on the circuit.
Awesome clip, so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI will remember that clip at IMCDA. Thank you!
ReplyDelete:)
Nice blog Steve and thanks for stopping by. Yeah these guys are inspirational. I love hanging out at finish lines and watching people finish. Congrats on IM Moo. I'm in Wisconsin next week for a run myself. I heard the people are nice.
ReplyDeleteFunny. When the winning woman won at IMWI several years ago, they were playing Shania Twain's "Feels Like A Woman". I swore that I'd stop and wait for the song to be finished if that were playing, too. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat clip. Definitely inspiring
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Very inspirational!
ReplyDeleteaw i totally teared up and got goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteis it weird i dont know that black sabbath song?
That was the first and only song I really ever got any good at playing on the bass guitar. Ironman is permanently ingrained into my melon as the sheer epitome of puberty, teenage angst, and metal-ridden rebellion.
ReplyDeleteJust hearing that song I feel as though I need to break something or grow hair in awkward areas, but I digress.
That rockin' gent nearly made me teary. I love inspiration like this, great post :-). Good luck in your training!
First of all - I think IronWedgie would be an awesome name - well may be not if I was the guy being called it, but I still like the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteSecond I have a question - as one who has yet to achieve the IronMan dream, and is still undergoing a lot of hero worship for those of you who have...
When you get to the end, can you even tell what music is playing? I've done some longer races, and all I can think of at the end is "I did it! I did it! I did it!"
Just curious...
ha. i have a similar video but was standing a little further infront of you.
ReplyDeletei tear up and get goosebumps every time i watch it!
Here's my angle as well...
ReplyDeletehttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2765241520136225636
I use this for motivation all the time when I don't "feel like working out"....
steve....
ReplyDeletetwo words....
goose bumps.
thanks.....
I'm sure frank didn't care what song was playing..
weird, I thought I left a comment but it isn't appearing. Sorry if this posts twice...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute, that is so inspiring! I enjoyed your parting advice too.
Amazing video. I teared up too.
ReplyDeleteGreat video. Really makes me feel like I shouldn't complain about tris anymore.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping I will be fit enough to complete an Ironman at 78. Fit enough in 5 months would be great!
ReplyDeleteI also HATE that song, and will not cross under its horrendous sound.
ReplyDelete:)
Not my favorite song, but how cool to have a theme song like that when you're that age. I can only hope to be half as resilient.
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational!
ReplyDeletei have a clip of that on my cellphone too! it was the absolute best moment in any sporting event i have ever witnessed!
ReplyDeleteI actually saw him jugging along on the last part of the IMWI marathon. Breathing hard but going..
ReplyDeleteSo fight through it, I'm sure you will do great in a couple of weeks at grandma's..