Chicago Turkey Trot and Poi Dog Pondering

My sister Sue and neice Sarah invited us to Chicago for the Thanksiving holiday. I always loved the windy city. I lived there for two years when I was younger. The only drawback to spending the holiday outside of Cleveland was knowing that I would miss the Turkey trot. I have raced a TT in Warren Oh. so I guessed Chicago might have a Thanksgiving race of their own. I googled it and found a race in Lincoln Park on Thursday called Turkey Trot.

Race morning I woke and headed from Evenston down Lake Shore Drive with Susie and Sarah to the Lincoln Park Zoo hoping to get my packet amongs 6500 runners. The race organization was Capri, who handles Steelhead and the Chicago Triathlon. Large numbers don't seem to be a problem for Capri, so packet and chip pick up went smoothly.

We had 45 minutes to kill prior to the race so we meanered around the sponser booths including a dog obedience school that entertained my 9 year old niece prior to the race with some friendly canines.

The weather was a crisp 39 degrees with no wind and sunny skies. I stripped down to a long sleeve CTC shirt and my tights. I wore an ACE ankle brace to protect my recent sprain. I lined up at 10 till 9 amongst the 6000+ runners and waited and waited and waited.

At 9:20 the race began a bit late,but it began. We walked to the start and started running slowly with the crowd. The 8K course followed park paths and was very narrow. I wasn't sure where my fitness was, having rested my injury all month, but I seemed to move well through the crowd. I knew no one so I just stuck to my running sans one quick conversation with another Ironman vet.

Aside from the density of the field and narrow course, I really enjoyed the scenery of the Chicago sky line and Lake Michigan. The crowd was so thick that I was never able to move at race pace. I crossed the finish line in 47:06. Best of all my ankle felt fine and I was in the top half of the field.

Following the race I found my sister and Sarah and we headed to the car so we could get back to Evenston to get dinner ready. Unfortonatly The parking lot was jammed for an hour as we sat and waited to leave. We literally did not move for 50 minutes. Sarah was not happy about this situation. Eventually we did get out and back north for a dinner of thanksgiving and togetherness. My brother, folks, sister and niece ate a bird. I had tofurkey. It was good.

Also while in Chicago, we had cocktails atop the Hancock building. I also went to see one of my favorite bands Poi Dog Pondering on Friday. My friend Mickey joined me for the concert as we danced up a storm. It was the first time we had a chance to hang out since she was married 2 months back. Poi Dog was great, but the crowd was much more subdued then I recall in years past. I realized most of the audience was my age and not as active as I remember from the last time I saw the band in '96. Mickey is in her mid 20's and I am kinda young and fit for a 40 year old, so we were the only folks really dancing.

It was lot of fun. I am so happy I stay fit. It really feels good to stay young. So many of my friends are active, so I forget that age slows down so many in my age group. Seeing the aging effect of my peers reaffirms the need and commitment to fitness.

“Thanksgiving for Every Wrong Move” is a Poi Dog song. Thanksgiving for my will to move is my thanks this holiday.

Keep on moving!

Looking back

I have been done with my 2008 season since Brierman. A few days before the election, I sprained my ankle and more or less shut down my training for the year. I have jumped on the trainer, one run and done a little lifting. I did the tri swimming workout this past week, but nothing else. I have decided to give my self a serious break. However I am becoming restless and know I have to get it going again.
The first step is to wrap up this past season. I intend to do that right here.

Having achieved such a long term goal in 2007 by completing an Ironman, 2008 was a motivational challenge for me. Coming off that race, I signed up for IM Louisville having not really spent the time considering what I had just done and what I had given up to achieve it. My off season seemed to be without seam. The motivation was not as natural. I rarely skipped workouts, but I was not always enthusiastic.

The spring included several road races, but the high light was training with Nichole for her first 26.2 and seeing her to that goal.

My tri schedule started with Deer Creek. It was a fun race. Camping was the highlight.
Morgantown was an awful race for me. I was ready to quit and I had stomach issues on the run. My attitude that day was a wakeup call. I had to do a serious gut check after this race. It did push me in a positive direction as I went into Steelhead. I was disappointed by the canceled swim, but I ended up having my best effort in long course racing. The positives from Steelhead carried me into Ironman confident and excited.
Ironman was a tough race for me. I had a mechanical breakdown which could have been avoided. I had a nutitional breakdown due to the heat. I made it through and overcame alot of adversity that day. I think a lot of folks might have dropped out under the same situation. I did not. I finished the race before being taken to medical. I am proud of my effort.
The Brierman was tough. I maintained my conditioning leading into this race, so I was fit. The course was as demanding as I have ever raced. It was also as beautiful as I have raced.

The best part of my '08 season was the camaraderie. I traveled to races with Tracie, Zac, Nichole, Bbop, Jack, AJ, Brendon and a couple other folks. Shared hotels and road trips make up most of the time spent racing, and I had a blast through all of it.
Overall I think I grew a lot this year. I developed some good friendships, stayed fit, and I had fun.
Goal achieved.

Citizen Houser

Cleveland has lost some great people this year. Fannie Lewis, Stefanie Tubbs Jones, Paul Newman and Herb Score.
For me the greatest loss is my friend Ed Houser. He died Friday. His level of activism was unmatched. If you ever visit Whiskey Island, know that Ed Houser made your visit possible. He single handedly fought the port authority and kept them from selling the land off for private use. He believed the lakefront should belong to all of us. He devoted ALL of his time and energy to this mission.
So long Ed.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/11/ed_hauser_47_environmental_act.html

If you were paying attention.

Back in May I mentioned a sports story I thought worth paying attention to.
http://charliestrifolk.blogspot.com/2008/05/consistency.html

Congrats on another Cy Young for the Tribes starters.

I am a patriot.

I was born in 1968. MLK and RFK were both murdered that year. The city of Cleveland still smoldered from the Hough riots. Our nation in my early life was marred by the Kent State shootings, Vietnam, Watergate, the Iranian hostage crisis.
By the time I had become aware enough to start understanding politics, Reagon was being inaugerated and Jimmy Carter was sent to Germany to welcome the hostages back. The timing of the hostage release has never sat well with me. I have always suspected that GHW Bush played a dishonest roll in that negotiation. The Iran/Contra scandel futher fed this concern. Our nations intervention in Nicaugua and El Salvador while ignoring South Africa and the issues surrounding the Palestinian people left me to question our sincerety in promoting freedom. The invassion of Panama intentions also seemed a bit suspect, as the control of the canal was to return back to Panama within 11 years.
The Clinton years were good for me. However the deaths of Ron Brown and Steven Foster never sat well. The foolishness of Bill Clinton's perjury, behavior and the Ken Starr witch hunt left me still distrustful of our leadership.
I had been concerned with GW Bush since '92. His "election" left me feeling completely helpless. Any hope in democracy working on a federal level was vanishing. I do think he handled 911 with poise and confidence. I had hoped for a compassionate reaction, but I was realistic and understood the attacks on Afganastan. As the Bush adminastration began using our emotions to gain support for an attack on Iraq, my optimism weakened. The unbelievable failure during Katrina futhur cemented my absolute distrust in the intentions of the White House leadership.

The point I am tyrying to make in my look back on American history over the past 40 years is that I have never had the pride in America that I was taught I should have. I have never felt that we were living up to the promise. We were living on past success and our nation was no longer a model for liberty. We were relying on past glory. The will of America was tired and weak. We had been beaten down not by our enemies, but by our own leadership. Our elections had become nothing more then ceremonial. Democracy on a federal level seemed lost. Though I loved my country and all that we believed in, I lacked faith that we had actually maintained the vision that so many had fought for.

When the primaries began, I could have gotten behind Hillary Clinton or John McCain. Both candidates seemed capable and logical in the never ending succession of "Business as Usual" politics that we have lived with since my birth. Hillary did represent something more, but.....not much.
A year ago I lent my music to the Kucinich campaign. I felt Dennis would introduce discussion that I felt important. I had no expectation that his run would last long, but he shared my views and I wanted them to be heard.
As the Ohio primary neared, I struggled between Mrs Clinton and the young senator from Illinois. As I entered the booth I took a deep breath and made a choice.. I wondered if I had just voted for a candidate that had no chance.........I was however willing to go out on a limb to vote for not who I thought could win, but who I thought would bring real change to our nation.

Tuesday so did the majority of our nation.

I have never experienced pride in our nation like I have this week. I have never seen America live up to its past glory and promise of the American dream. I know there is still a long way to go. I know it is going to take time and at times it will be uncomfortable. But like anything worth doing, the toughest part is making the decision to do it. The tough part is believing that we are ready and able to acomplish the things we believe in.

This week we have made a decision to continue the true dream of America. This week I finally understand what it is to be proud to be an American.

Fear No More!

I haven't written much lately. I haven't been training and I am nursing an ankle sprain. I think my lack of posting though has much more to do with the changes we are experiencing. It all seems so much bigger then anything I have to say about it.

The past eight years have brought us three major events. 911, Katrina, and President elect Barack Obama.
The first event was fear. Fear has compromised our constitution and sense of humanity. It has taken us to war. It had promised no end.

Katrina was the slap in the face many of us needed. The responce was unacceptable. We had left our most vulnerable citizens behind. The recklessness of our leaders became obvious.

What has happened this week is hope.

Barack Obama's election has transcended race. Tuesday was not just special for black America, Tuesday was special for all of America. Tuesday we looked beyond fear and into a future of hope and unlimited possibility. We were able to rely on the strength of our constitution. Freedom would not be manipulated by fear. We stood in the face of every limitation and fear we had been taught and defied 20th century beliefs.

I am very happy that Barack Obama has won because I believe in his platform. I am happy that the "Glass ceiling" has been broken. I am happy that all Americans can believe in the same opportunities. I am happy that the perception of America will change within our country and globally.

Mostly I am happy because WE have changed. We have rejected fear and embraced hope.
This is the America I believe in.

Everything

I have been thinking about everything lately.
I have come to one conclusion:

Everything is really time consuming.

Anything is possible

Philladelphia

15 years ago my grandmother died. I never had a chance to get to know her very well. She lived in North Carolina and we would see her during vacations in Pennsylvania. My best memory of her was sitting on the porch as she gave me a red batters helmet with a "P" logo. She made me promise to always be a fan and root for that team.
I agreed.
After she died(in January 1993) I looked to the heavens and said, "The Philly's will win the pennet for you this year. They did.
true to her order, I am a Philly fan to this day. Sports are great in this regard. You don't have to have a good reason to root for your team. You cheer because they are your team. I always imagined the personal disdain my Grandmother would have had for John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra, and Mitch Williams. These guys were the bad news bears all grown up. Ripped uniforms covered in chewing tobacco and a guy nicknamed "wild thing" did not epitomize the traits that my dads mother admired in people.
This current run by Charlie Manuals 2008 Phills brings my thoughts back to the late matriarch of the Mosbrook family. I am sure she would have been charmed by the managers southern folksy humor.
Absolute beliefs are OK when it's pennet time. Immature childish behavior is perfectly acceptable toward rival fans. We are all guilty of leaving voicemails of the crowd roaring from the late Jake as Victor Martinez launches a HR into Alberts Alley for Some happless Red Sox fan in Iowa as she drops her tofu pup on the carpet....It is for this reason that I am hoping for the sox to comeback.

This was the only absolute allegiance she asked of me. That is a good thing, because during the other major contest this fall, I want to stick with the candidate that epitomizes the human traits that she admired. I want to support the candidate that has held his head up high and presented his plan for America and how it will work. I want to support the presidential hopeful that has focused on his campaign rather than to unleash rumors that stir hatred and fear.

I can't be sure that my Grandmother would vote for the same candidate as I. She was a southern women that shared comments from time to time that most people in Cleveland Heights find offensive.
My guess is she would identify with the other candidate more.
I don't write this to condemn her, or to point out flaws in my family. Her comments were shocking to us mostly because of the beliefs her own son had raised us with. He was always objective. He was a civil rights era news reporter in Cleveland, Ohio. He has had the opportunity to sit and discuss issues with MLK, Carl and Louis Stokes, and Desmond Tutu. He had a chance get a better understanding of who these men were. I never had the feeling that he ever had to look beyond race. I always felt he was far beyond race. His opinions were formed through thorough open minded investigation.

My Grandmother always expected us to stand with dignity. I can overlook a lack of dignity in Mr Dyksta. He was a Philly. His job was centerfield. The man that becomes president however will not be given the same blind eye. Implied bigotry is not a campaign. It is one thing to see people in the Dawg Pound, the old Vet, or Fenway act like a bunch of hateful idiots, but when I see it on a presidential campaign, it is a real turn off.

(I removed the Strongsville video from this post)

Brierman Race Report

The Brierman 50lite triathlon is a .85/40/9.5 mile race in Boonsboro state park near Hagerstown, Maryland. This race features a cold swim on a flat lake, a two loop bike course with a climb up the side of a Mountain, and a run course up and down a very long steep hill. The park is an amazing race venue.

AJ and I arrived Sat. at 2:30. We signed up for the race, listened to the course talk and drove the bike course. The bike course had us both intimidated. The climbs were long and steep. It was obvious we were going to spend much of the day below 10mph. After that we went to the hotel to watch the race in Kona and got a "good" meal.

Sunday we woke up at 5am and got ready to race. We headed to the race site, readied our transition, stood in line for the 2 toilets offered, pulled on the wet suits and headed for the shore.

The swim was two laps on a very calm lake. The water was cold, so I wore two caps. We all started together for a "mass start"(maybe 100 racers). The horn blew and we were off. The swim was really nice. I just swam nice long even strokes and enjoyed watching the sun rise over the surrounding mountains. I was bummed when the swim ended. This was a perfect swim for me. I think it was my best of the year.

T1. I entered on the wrong side of the rack. This slowed me a bit. I put on a long sleeve jersey, my helmet, glasses and headed up the first steep climb out of the park.
"clack,clack....."
Many riders were unable to stay up. I started in an easy gear and had little problem. The ride was a mix of fast descents (48mph top speeed) Long steep climbs, and sharp turns. It was far tougher then any I have ever ridden. The highlight was the amazing fall colors and veiws from the side of the mountain.

The course also was littered with McCain/Palin signs. My malicious side had plans made up for the signs, but they were never realized as I feared some folk may not be able to distinguish aero bars from antlers. The ride was mostly very lonley on the second loop. Once the sprint group left the course we were so spread out on winding mountain roads, that I never really saw other riders. I wondered how far back I was. feared I was dead last until I passed one rider and spotted another that rode 500' behind me.
As I returned to the park down the steep hill we had previously ascended I was excited to start running.
T2. I entered and had to push my way through two people from the sprint race chatting in front of my rack space. I got my run stuff together and headed out for a nice run.

So I figured we would start with a short climb and out and back run around the lake, along park roads. What actually happened was a long climb up a steep hill followed by a long steep descent before turning around and running it in reverse. Half way down to the turn around I was caught by the athlete who had been riding 500' feet behind me on the bike course. I began to match his pace, and we ran the rest of the course together. His name was Scott. We paced and managed the long climb well before opening up our pace as we ran the final fast mile back to the finish. We crossed at the same time. We were glad to be done.

I checked on AJ to see how he did. He said, "I won."
We had been told we couldn't have a race shirt due to our late entry, so I asked if they found an extra shirt for the winner of their inaugural race.
He replied "No".
This happened in front of a Newspaper reporter who was interviewing AJ.Hee hee hee.

I am happy with my performance. Had I planned on doing this race, I would have spent more time doing hill work over the last 3 weeks.
The race management really kind of sucked and the cost for entry was to high. They had made promises to us via email and danced around the issue when we arrived at the race site. AJ had been told he would be given a discount and I would be charged the online fee since the site closed earlier than indicated online. When AJ asked for the discount, the RD took a shot at him saying, "I will cut you a check when you get the 1st place medal."
After he won, the RD continued to dance around the issue. We are waiting to see if he actually honors his promise and sarcasm.
I loved the course both for the challenge and beauty. I will return if Piranha Sports keeps it's word. The venue is awesome. They have a good race. I just thought the management provided very little for an expensive race. If I do return I will register far in advance.

Season Finale

AJ and I are headed to Boonsboro, Maryland for the Brierwood half lite 50 triathlon. I am really excited because the race will be in the middle of the mountains. I am hoping to catch fall at its peak. I have to admit, I am most likely treating this one as a tour rather than a race. But then I do feel good.

Also, here are my predictions for Kona.

1 Craig Alexander
2.Andy Potts
3 Ferris Al-Sutan

1 Chrissie Wellington
2 Sam McGlone
3 Bella Comerford

Spread this

Gig this Saturday

For anyone interested, I will be playing my music at the Phoenix Cafe in south Euclid this coming Saturday at 8pm.
The Phoenix is at the corner of Mayfield and S. Green.

Hope to see some of you there.
Charlie

My Kona dream is selfish

With one last triathlon this season, I consider not where I have been, but where I would like to go. I am realy trying to figure out what I look to gain from the sport and what kind of goals I should try to work toward.
It would be obvious. I would like to win Kona. I am realistic however and I know that for this to happen , a great disaster would would have to befall all of humanity. Since I can not wish suffering on others, my Kona dream is selfish. I worry also that my hopes for world peace could be the result of much suffering before the world could go on in peace.
In my on going attempt to reduce the harmful impact of my life here on earth, I have created some simple goals for next season.

Goals
1. Have lots of fun!
2. Reach out to those who are new to the sport.
3. Continue to search for peace within my self. Be the peace I hope to see.
4. DREAM BIG dream small. Dream , always dream.

Yoga for a folk singer

This photo turned up from the Ride for Miles. This was a trifolk moment if ever I had one.

Yesterday I played during my friends wedding. We were outdoors for the ceremony and I played as guest took seats and the wedding party came down the isle. For the bride(Mickey) I played the chord progression for Sea of Love. After that, we went to Night town for one heck of a party.

I woke up yesterday feeling as though I was going to get sick. I scrapped all tri training and stuck with just the Yoga session M and I had planned. It seems silly, but this was my first time doing yoga.

I had always played a lot of hackey sack, so flexibility and balance were never a problem for me. Last year I decided to not play often for fear that I could injure myself. I didn't realize how inflexible I had become. I can see how beneficial yoga can be to both triathlon related sports, and hackey sack. I will make yoga my big off season addition.

Today I rode and ran. I also met up with AJ to plan for the Brierman race in two weeks. I feel healthy, recovered and ready to go.

Picnic and Ride. Happy Fall!

This past weekend offered up some fantastic weather. I love the fall. Saturday morning I joined the “Ride For Miles”. It was a memorial ride for a Biology professor from John Carroll University who had been struck and killed by a car during a ride last month. The ride had 500 people take part and the route followed my normal 24 mile loop.

Following the ride, lots of food was served and everyone was treated to music compliments of my a group called Roots of American Music. The group is led by an old friend of mine named Kevin Richards. As soon as he discovered me, he drafted me to perform a few tunes. Bike shorts, cleats, and an old Guild guitar seemed perfect for the Trifolk look, but alas, I had no camera.

Sunday was the Cleveland Triathlon Club picnic. I rode down with Jack and somehow managed to avoid politics. he has started a rumor that I have seen the light regarding the GOP ticket since our ride home from Louisville. What he didn't mention was how out of whack my electrolytes were following 15 hrs in 97 degree heat. Once I regained consciousness, I remembered how screwed up the current GOP administration has left us, and that only recently has the GOP hopefuls tried distance them selves from GWB.

The picnic was a good time and the weather was perfect.

Basic update

I have committed to a race in Maryland Oct 12th. The race is called the Brierman Half Light. I found the race because my neighbor said he needed a half prior to Clearwater. I really wanted 1 more tri this season. So I agreed to go along.

The distances are .85 mile swim, 40 mile bike, and 9.5 mile run. It is close to the first long course race I did in Medford Mass in '99. The course looks hilly, so it should be a challenge. It is also near the Appellation trail and the fall foliage should be awesome.

I have switched the bike over to a road setup and will only add the aero bars for the race. I will maintain the relaxed position for better climbing.

I have also done a lot of work on my Nishiki. It is riding really well and the morning commute has been a Joy.
Speaking of the commute, I was interviewed for the 9am show on WCPN (Clevelands NPR) about bike awareness. The segment will air tommorrow(9-19)

On the new frame search. I am leaning toward a Leader. Price is amazing, feedback is positive. The frame should be stiff and light with an aggresive position. This frame should do it and start me under budget.

Any how thats all I have right now. Be well.

I am narrowing my

Life after Louisville

I came so close to tossing the dice today in hopes of grabbing an Ironman Canada entry. I was in heavy debate with myself as 1pm approached. I passed. I am still tossing my 2009 plans around in my head.
Right now I am thinking:

1. Ironman Mexico
2. Ironman UK
3. Ironman Louisville
4. Ironman Nice/France
5. JFK50
6. Marathons and 50k focus with two or three 70.3 races tossed in along with a bunch of sprints.

Most likely I will do go with 6, but I am sure my imagination will get the best of me.

My bike that has given me thousands of miles, 2 Ironmans, 6 70.3s, and most of my triathlon life is getting a new makeover. I am converting it back into a road bike. I am bidding on some shifter/brake levers and switching the bars to drops. The seat post will return to a more relaxed position and I will forgo the aero bars. Once the switch is made, I will begin building a new tri specific bike. I may also check off season sales and do a law away plan.

The volunteer that found me withering on the convention center floor and made sure I got medical attention, found me on Facebook. He was concerned about my well being. I must have looked aweful. I am certain I was one of many to need medical aid after that race.
Anyhow, I can't thank him and the other volunteers enough for the job they did at Ironman. They were working all day and night in the same conditions we raced in. I am sure a few athletes are alive today because of the job these folk did. I am not sure where I would be if Mike had not spotted me.

Thank You.

Ironman Louisville critique

Following my IMUK race last year, I posted a critique of the the race overall. Not my race, just my observations of the event as a whole. That post is one of my most visited. Seems we all look for any information we can find on these events. With that in mind, I felt it important to once again provide information that is useful to others, so here is my critique.

This was my first Ironman race in North America, so I will try not to compare it to the events I visited in Europe.

Travel: I had the benefit of traveling across Ohio to Kentucky, so transportation was simple. We took I71 the whole way.
Lodging: We stayed in the host hotel, The Galt House. This is a huge (3000) room hotel that sits between the finish and transition area The convention Center (Welcome dinner, awards and athlete recovery area) is also within a block. The expo happens here and there is plenty of space to lounge with a large group. It is easy to spend a great deal of time in this complex and out of the heat of the day. The room was nice and clean. Also, free wi fi.
Post race food lacked options and the elevators were slow.
3 nights with parking and tax came to $537. Split in two it was affordable for me.
Race Management: This was a WTC event. They are the measuring stick. First Class. Registration was smooth, as was everything else they did. It did lack a personal feel at times. The welcome dinner and awards lacked the excitement I saw in Europe.
Volunteers and course support were amazing. I had the opportunity to use a bike mechanic and medical staff. Very helpful and attentive. They were both instrumental in getting me back going.

The Course: The unique TT start made for a really peaceful swim. The water is muddy and warm. Sighting is simple.
The bike course has lots of rollers but no true climbs. The first and final ten miles are flat. Auto traffic was a bit much and clueless how to behave with a race going on.
The run course is flat and in the shade for slow racers.
This course is an easy one....except for the probability of high tempuratures. Don't expect it to be an easy day.

The finish line at fourth street live is amazing. It is covered and packed with peaple.
The city of Louisville Kentucky: This is a really nice city. They had alot happening in town including lots of public music. It is small enough to keep everything close and big enough to offer every need that may come up. Veg options were kind of light. near fourth street.
The peaple were really freindly and got behind Ironman 100%.

Summery: This is a a great event, and Louisville gets behind it all the way. I will most likely be back. Hopefully with cooler weather, though I am not counting on it.

Reflections from my raceday: IMKY

I went into this race feeling fit and healthy. I felt my bike was running smoothly. I was confident in my race plan. I don't feel that the race course was a difficult one. My nutrition was solid. If things went smoothly, I don't think a 13hr race was out of the question.

The reality of ironman is that none of that matters. Ironman doesn't care.

The anticipation of swimming into a current without a wet suit in 84 degree water is worse then the reality. It is a slower swim, but no more difficult if you train for a swim of this distance.

The bike course is really ideally suited for my training enviroment. the first and last 12 miles are flat and very easy to spin through. I was never challenged during the bike. My problems came from a preventable equipment issue. I am solely responsible to have my bike ready to race. I considered swapping out the chain. I decided not to. I gambled and lost.
The heat was ending a lot of races during the bike. I saw many camped beneath the trees.

The run course was mostly flat. There was decent shade through most of the run. This could be a fast course, but Sunday was the hottest day I have seen this summer. It was destroying people. Ambulances and med crews were busy.

The heat was the element of IMKY '08 that made this race so difficult. My race plan was skewed by my failure to replace worn equipment.

Ultimately I am very satisfied with my Ironman experiance. I feel my year prepared me well for the obsticals I faced. My spirit was shaken and tested. I overcame everything and pushed myself as hard as my body would allow.

During Ironman we face some dark moments. You not only feel weak and vulnerable, you are weak and vulnerable. Ironman will deal its hand, and you will play it. The strongest fail. This is not an easy race. Ironman is where we face our demons. No matter how close you may be to the finish, it is never guanteed. But once you step over that finishline, nothing else matters. You did it.
For me, I had to pay a cost for my finish. I was done with ironman, but ironman wasn't done with me. I dared to defy all that ironman had dealt me. This was a race I should not have finished, but I would not stand down. I crossed that finish line despite all the struggles I had this year. But it came at such a cost physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally that when I finished I was absolutely spent and had to literally be revived by the help of others.

As I regained consciousnes and was able think more clearly, I found my self to be very happy. I had an awareness that I had lacked recently. I was not happy because I had crossed a finish line. I was happy because I was alive. I had come through some very dark struggles, and I was still alive.
I came to this race not to see how far or fast I could go. I came to this race to see how deep I could dig. I dug as deep as I could. For me, Ironman is a spiritual journey. I got what I came for.

It was a great race.