…or 14 days to the minute.

This time, two weeks from now, I will be (hopefully) finishing Mile 15 (or better) on the run course of Coeur d’Alene.  Okay, so there are many variables between now and Mile 15 of the race.

Like if  I am going to keep my sanity between now and then.  If I am going to hold on to my confidence (what little there is).  My joy.  The joy I have found and struggled to keep over the course of training.

But even now.  I feel joy.

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Last day in the whale suit before the race!

Even today… as I woke up at the crack of dawn and swam with (or very far behind) a Coach Monster, Fish, and several other very fast swimmers… even as I roasted alive in the wetsuit (the lake is warm here now)… I felt joy.

As I laced up my shoes for my 5 mile run… I felt peace.

As I ran the 5 miles slower than I wish I did… with pain in my hips that I wish I didn’t have….  I felt wonderful.

The time is now.

14 naps.

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Saw this omen on the road while I was running. ha ha!!

The funny thing about races… the countdown clock stops for no one.

The lists grow.   The things I must accomplish between now and packing day. I can’t even conceive of the all the special needs bags and clothing bags and Aleve and Salt Sticks and Aquaphor.  The things I wish I had accomplished.

The times I wish I would have eaten better.  Eaten less.  Worked harder.  Slept more.

Doesn’t matter.  Because the time is now.

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My two shoes for race day. Big Bird and Blue Bird. My Saucony Kinvara 4s.

Because in 14 naps, I will stand on the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene.  Wearing neoprene.  Full of butterflies. While I may not look the part… hell, I probably will be the easiest to spot on race day due to my size… I have worked and suffered just like the ones who are running 7 minute miles. In fact, I suffered at a much slower rate. For longer. Ha!

This has been a miraculous dream almost three years in the making. Only I never knew Ironman was a dream until last year.  I never would have thought it possible.

And now…

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Today, at Mile 3 on the run, I stopped to look at the turtle.  And I thought to myself.  I just ran 3 miles.  Yes, I know I have to run 26.2 at the end of a ridiculous bike and swim. Yes, I only just ran three. But three years ago… a three mile run was all I could have EVER mustered.  That was it. And the 5k felt like I was dying. Dying.

And today, I didn’t feel like I was dying. At all. Not even close.

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Yesterday, I did ride the trainer. I was too scared to take the bike out. Too much chance for a Swim Bike Klutz moment. Safe at this point. Bubble wrap.

Instead, as I ran downhill back towards the lake, the only thing I could think was, “Thank you.”

Tears filled my eyes and I simply thought, Thank you, God, for the opportunity to stand on that shore and be present and to have earned the chance to do this race.  

So with my longest workouts behind me…  the time is here.  I’m ready to embrace it.

The good, the bad…  I will be present in that race, thank God for all my many blessings… and stand proud, no matter the outcome.

Love. To. You. All. 🙂

12 Responses

  1. I have a big fat crush on your attitude. I can’t WAIT to see your finish line photo – grinning from ear to ear. Get it.

  2. I am so attached to you and you don’t even know me. I love knowing you. I will be taking every breath with you on June 23.JUST FINISH IT.

  3. You are an absolute inspiration. I do these things on a much smaller scale, but you give me the courage to push further and trust that I can achieve more. You are awesome and your race will be awesome!

  4. Just like Lisa said. I am so attached to you too! I am new to your journey and I can’t get enough! You inspire me to keep moving forward no matter what. You have planted a new dream in my head of being a triathlete. I have felt those tears of self pride, the deep deep realization that you reaching places you never thought you could and you deserve to revel in every minute of it. I wish you all the best of luck! You’ve had an army behind you during training, you’ll have an army of folks cheering you on, but it’s all you during the race and I think that’s the amazing blessing in all this. Freakin’ kill it on race day!!!

  5. As a fellow mother of young children I so admire you. I read your blog faithfully and dream of completing an Ironman. You are awesome and I can’t wait to hear how great your moment is in CDL!

  6. You are so DAMNED INSPIRING! I heard your interview with the Another Mother runner gals and then started reading your blog and it has brought tears to my eyes. Good Luck to you STrong Woman on race day and may you feel lots of LOVE and SUPPORT during that incredible journey!

  7. yyyeaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I don’t even know you, but I’m SO excited and proud for you!

  8. You are such an inspiration to me!! Thank you for this post and for your attitude and perspective! I love your blog and have loved following your journey! As an aspiring triathlete I look up to you! Can’t wait to see your finish line photos!! You rock!

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