The Road to the Ironman #2 – A vision…

The evening was cool, I know the heat of the sun was long gone, I could even feel a breeze as I stared forward shading my eyes from the bright light in front of me…

No I am not dying… even though reading that back I could see how you would get that impression… even better if you had a chance to look at me at that moment maybe I would be looking like I had one foot in the grave, but I am actually in the middle of living life. I will feel like death many times during that day but still there would be nothing I rather do at that moment, at that time.

Maybe a vision is a strong word to use, perhaps a picture holds a better idea of what I am drawing in my minds eye as I am just a few short strides away from completing Ironman #2.

This morning’s bike ride provided me with that vision/picture on how it is going to be in those closing moments of this Ironman journey. I have made it no secret that this time around it has been a bigger challenge than #1. Everything seemed harder to accomplish. Everything seemed more like a job versus a passion. Everything simply sucked more, but in the end that might be the reason why I will get more out of this race than the the first.

You never forget the first in anything in life. The first time you rode your bike without training wheels. The first vacation. The first kiss. Yes, the first Ironman. The second time around for any of these things is simply not the same. Yes, I have had the thought of doing this Ironman thing faster, but that is not my reason for doing #2. The reason for doing #2 is this, until I find something more challenging in life to do, Ironman is it. Whether it is your 1st, your 10th, 100th (yes there are people out there that have done 100) the Ironman has a way of peeling the layers off of you and reducing you down to your core. You find out what you are made of. This is what I have learned by training for my second Ironman.

Many of us are simply to afraid to do this. Many are simply not willing to peel back the layers because they are afraid on what they will find and they probably would not like what they see. The Ironman is a selfish endeavor. I will be the first to admit that, but until you answer the questions that surround you about… you… How do expect to be there for anyone else? Does it have to be an Ironman? No. The Ironman is my choice, my cool-aid, my way of answering back I am more than the sum of my parts.

You learn a lot about yourself when you are out there riding for hours, running for miles or looking at the never ending blue stripe on the bottom of the pool.

Who am I? Well I am an Ironman, that is true. Better… I am a person always seeking to be better today than I was yesterday. Tomorrow I will strive to be even better in the things I do. Will I always succeed? Nope and that is OK. I know how to pick myself up, fight through the pain, the frustration and move on.

Yes I know I am different than most, but on November 5, 2011 I will be surrounded by like minded people on their journey’s. I will be a part of a 2,000 person family. That in itself is the reward.

I find I am slowly entering the phase I discovered last year. There is this sense of calmness surrounding me. The training is almost done. I have fought my way though the mental peaks and valley’s. It is almost time to race. Everything is moving slower, the air is crisper, the sun seems brighter and I am ready. A few more long training rides, runs, and swims really won’t mean much in the scope of the day. Now it is time to celebrate the accomplishment of being an Ironman once again!

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy