"Theodor calling, live from the IRONMAN Germany..."

Okay, "calling" doesn't get the point - I'm sitting right here in front of the computer, typing with my teddy-paws exhaustingly on the computer-keyboard. But what I said about the IRONMAN Germany is right!

I wouldn't have dreamed about undertaking so much amazing stuff with the IRONteddy-Team after I'm an IRONteddy now! But on Sunday, July 23rd 2006, there was the IRONMAN Germany. And my teddy-trainer Markus took part! For the first time he was present and dabbled in 3.8 kilometres swimming, 180 kilometres cycling, and 42.4 kilometres jogging. I couldn't have done this with my plushy teddy-fur in a heat like that!

But the IRONteddy-Team didn't forget me nevertheless and asked me to come along with them to root for Markus. They needn't tell me this for a second time - and so I was along as a speeding reporter. While Markus had to jump into the lukewarm floods of the forest-lake in Langen at seven o'clock in the morning, I could sleep long. We started at noontime. Everything was so exciting!

     
     

We took a train to Frankfurt. On our way, I quickly had to look up in my city map where we would be able to watch Markus for the first time. The complete IRONteddy-Team was with me, of course, to root for their companion.

     
     

We arrived in Frankfurt at the main station and quickly moved to the first point where we wanted to root for Markus on his route. On the side of the street we started waiting. The distance around the bank of the river Main had to be passed four times by the racers. Markus' first round we missed, so we had to wait a bit until he passed the point where we waited again. But then, finally, it was time:

     
     

Markus passed us for the first time and - certainly - was rooted for strongly. Although he had left behind 3.8 kilometres of swimming, 180 kilometres of cycling, and the first kilometres of jogging, he had a smile on his face when seeing us. While he had to run an indirection, we quickly moved to the second spot I had pointed out. It didn't took long until he passed us for a second time in the middle of a bridge. And as he had to run another indirection, we could see him a few minutes later at the bank of the river Main for the third time.

     
     

After we could quickly see only Markus' backside, we started for the fourth point - but we had some time to relax, as poor Markus had to pass some kilometres more than we had! But it was quite nice sitting in the sun at the bank of the river Main - I'm really happy I didn't have to make such an effort like the many, many participants in a heat like that!

     
     

We passed a suspension bridge with a fascinating view at the skyline of Frankfurt to reach the other bank of the river Main.

     
     

And there we had to wait again. I was really excited how long Markus would take until we could root for him again! The whole IRONteddy-Team waited excitedly, too, at the side of the course. And as Markus appeared at the image border, they quickly pulled out their cameras. Meanwhile, I sunned my coat ;-)

     
     

Of course, we didn't just take photographs of Markus, but encouraged and rooted for him really, really strong. Then we quickly started for the next spot I picked out on my city map.

     
     

While crossing the bridge "Eiserner Steg" to reach the other bank of the river Main again, there was a big surprise: We met my cousin Theresa, which I hadn't seen since last Christmas! I was really surprised that she was there to watch the sportmen and -women!

     
     

And Theresa was surprised of how fit I am now. She decided to start training with the IRONteddy-Team soon. And I really can recommend that - decidedly the best are the great excursions ;-)

When we waited for Markus for the next time, we had enough time to sit down at a cafe at the side of the street to get something cool to drink. Of course, we only took some fruit juice! After that we went on in the direction of the finish to wait for Markus. And quite near we found the perfect shop for me: The Teddy-Paradise!

     
     

After seeing that I didn't want to leave the shop-window with my plushy colleagues! Even a teddy-family in holidays you could see there - I'd like to exchange doing sports with such a beach chair at a heat like this, too!

But then we quickly moved on to the finishing line - and soon he stood in front of us with his medal. Of course I was the first one to congratulate him - and he allowed me to wear the medal for a few minutes! Maybe training and doing sports isn't that bad even with a weather like this - if you get such a nice, large medal afterwards...

     
     

Anyway, it was really exciting und a very nice day! I'm very proud of my teddy-trainer that he stayed the course like that! And if I'm not standing at the side with the IRONteddy-Team the next time, being a reporter in Frankfurt, I will surely take part on my own!

And now I'll get on with writing a report about the IRONMAN Germany NightRun - and to look up in the internet how my teddy-trainer finished his first IRONMAN!