So the weirdest things is happening to me right now… I am having Ironman Coeur d’Alene phantom pains.

Ironman CDA is happening this Sunday. (And nope, I will not be there.) But I feel like I should be… it’s like seriously phantom pains. Crazy stuff.

A couple of the ladies in the Swim Bike 140.6 Facebook group, as well as my old coach, are in Coeur d’Alene right now… getting ready for the big race on Sunday.

IMG_1641

It’s funny how those ‘big’ races can change you.  I finished Ironman CDA last year… and it was life-changing. It’s amazing how the events leading up to and surrounding the race stick in your head.  (And it doesn’t have to be Ironman per se – it can be your Ironman).

I always think about the early morning swims in Lake CDA…

IMG_1642

…and riding the bike course (in the car), where my Mom and Dad’s faces were pale white… and I was like, “This bike course doesn’t look so bad!” (Crazy).

cda

IMG_1597

I remember looking out the bathroom window, over the mountains and the lake, this time last year… and just feeling differently.

Right now, I can remember that feeling as clear as day.

It helps that CDA is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

The race and the place was just magical for me.

IMG_1692

When I think back on this time last year… and my almost-midnight-finish on Sunday, one year ago… I am just filled with chills and thrills and joy.

What an amazing experience it all was…

Even the horrible months leading up to it—with the marriage drama, the injuries (broken ass included), and more crazy than a stick can be shaken upon.

0411_35846

I always say that the crazy dream is worth it.

Whether the crazy dream is a 5k or an Ironman… picking that crazy dream and going after it… the accomplishment is so sacred, so precious. So worth it.

For those of you out there in CDA, I hope that you all racing have a WONDERFUL day.  I wish I was there with you (sort of), but I am there in some kind of weird phantom spirit… as CDA will always be such a special place in my heart.

Go get ’em!

[And good luck, Andy Potts!!]

3 Responses

  1. I will be at Cda on Sunday hopefully becoming an IM as you did last year…I am amazed the similarities in our journey…injury, not being able to run over 13 miles because of that injury…trying to balance family, work, marriage and IM training. Could I have trained harder? Yes…but I can honestly say I have done the best I could do with the circumstances set out before me and Sunday I will let the day unfold as it may but I will smile and try and enjoy every moment because this has been on incredible journey!!!

  2. I was thinking of you today as I was watching your buddy Andy win Cda…keep moving forward girl.

  3. I remember reading your post from IM CDA… it seems like just yesterday! Cant wait to hear about your next journey, thanks for being a great source of inspiration.

Leave a Reply to sarah

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *