With all the excitement and preparations my teammates are currently making for their Race Day, I can hardly sit still at work! I'm living vicariously through my teammates' jitters, anticipation and internal 'pump-ups' they're giving themselves at this very minute. I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever been more excited to be a cheerleader! My car's already packed, so as soon as I get to my car after work, I'm bound for Sonoma County to watch them at the start of their swim at Johnson's Beach bright and early tomorrow morning.
By now, about 80% of my Team has already gobbled up their Pasta meals and are either in their hotel rooms packing, unpacking, re-packing their transition bags. Mixing up nutrition, counting their GU packs, doing 'nutrition math' on their calculators. If they're not doing any of the above, they're out taking a walk in neighboring Santa Rosa, to try and calm themselves down and meditate / reflect upon the journey that got them to This Week. 9 continuous months of hard work, dedication; early morning swims firstly at their local pools, then graduating to Aquatic Park (a.k.a. the chilly San Francisco Bay); hours under the hot sun of the East Bay climbing some of the most notorious hills on their bikes. Run/walking continuously for 3-4 hours and calling it an 'early' or 'easy' day, because they didn't have to worry about packing a bike and 20 bottles of nutrition.
Scrapes, cuts, bruises, chainring 'tattoo's on the back of their calves after a long day. Nausea from too many calories in, a little light-headedness from dehydration and lack of Endurolytes/Thermolytes. The feeling of having pushed it too hard and not paced oneself better for a long training day. The physical and emotional pangs of experimenting with a new nutrition plan :) And having learned the lesson so you'll know better in the future.
Demons -- the mental games you play with yourself. Whether in a headwind on the bike, or through massive currents and choppy conditions in open water. Fighting through the walls of a long run. Tears and frustration you fight back and the days you contemplate cutting short because you feel there's nothing left in you.
VICTORY. Victory over the demons and things that once held you back. Reaching milestones and distances you never thought possible. The feeling of having brushed off your shoulders and gotten back on the bike. The rush of putting on your wetsuit and plunging into 54-degree salt water and feeling just the right amount of sore after a strenuous but fulfilling dip in the Bay. And then using your rest day to treat yourself to a relaxing massage or some quality time with your foam roller and a beer.
You, 20 lbs. of ice and a tub. An ice bath never felt so good after 10-11 hours of exertion and enduring a triple brick and burning probably 3 days' worth of calories in one fell swoop.
Pride. Pride, courage, strength and an Iron Will. The feeling of arriving at the Starting Line of your race, having come a long way and with the knowledge and insight lightyears ahead of where you started 9 months ago. Maturity. Awareness. Preparedness. Joy and Gratitude for all you've gone through, pushed through and now hold as memories from your training season. And after hundreds upon hundreds of human-powered miles behind you, you now have an urge to push yourself just 140.6 more to make your journey complete.
THIS is what the Ironman Journey is.
It's bittersweet to think about it ending. But it's a part of who we all are now. The hardships and successes are now ingrained in who we are as individuals. People who won't as easily shy away from a challenge or adversity. The concept of "being Iron" or the title of "Ironman" is not about a finish line or finishing time; it's not in a medal or tattoo. At least not from where I stand.
Being Iron is a state of mind. It's about the determination and tenacity to fight through something that would otherwise scare you or hold you back from something you want. Whether in a river, bike or run course -- or in life's seemingly endless course with all kinds of adversity, challenges and disruptions. It's about not holding back out of fear or because you don't think you can do it. It's about not settling for mediocrity or just what's comfortable.
Being Iron is about belief in oneself. Truly believing you are stronger and more capable than you think you are.
Being Iron is about humility. It's about patience with oneself and a respect for your body, mind and well-being. Respect for your teammates and the community of triathletes with whom you train.
I could not be more elated or humbled by the experience to not only witness my teammates and friends compete in their event tomorrow. But so happy to be able to celebrate the end of one journey and the start of the next. What this next chapter holds for each of them may be very different. Some have already signed on for another consecutive season :) Others will go on to raise their growing families. Wherever their next road may lead, I have zero doubt in my mind that these individuals are tougher, stronger, more whole and complete people. HEROES, whom I have had the sincere pleasure to know this year.
An early Congratulations to all my teammates... THE VINEMEN. I truly am so proud of you all.
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