On July 27th, 2009, John and I stood in line for several hours to sign up for Lake Placid Ironman 2010. After we entered the Lake Placid High School gymnasium, it took only a few minutes to sign up for the event. It has taken us 12 months to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. In 14 days, we will do this.
So, what makes someone want to go 140.6 miles in under 17 hours? Well, there are about 3,000 registered to participate in Ironman Lake Placid, and I imagine that amounts to about 3,000 answers to that question. I can only speak for myself. I’m doing Ironman because:
It’s there, waiting to be done.
I like to eat a lot of food.
The training is good for my mind and soul, as well as my body.
It beats watching TV.
I like the way my veins bulge out from my skin.
I’ve never done one before.
The way my body hurts after hard workouts brings peace to my thoughts.
I want to inspire and help others.
I can spend plenty of quality time with the triathlon community, which is full of totally cool people who are all hopped up on endorphins.
I am an athlete again.
I like to set goals that seem just out of reach and then feel the rush of satisfaction upon meeting them.
I want to do something extraordinary, and well, 140.6 miles in under 17 hours seems fairly extraordinary.
I’m succeeding in physical and mental that challenges that I used to think I couldn’t do. I’ve learned that couldn’t simply means wouldn’t.
Being uncomfortable is good for me.
There is more to life than existing.
Ironman Lake Placid lasts 17 hours (hopefully 14 hours for me if I play my cards right…) but that day is only one small part of the 12 month journey we’ve been on. My reasons for doing an Ironman are as much about the training as they are about race day itself.
I recall fondly those training days where my body has moved smoothly, fluidly through water, pushed valiantly up hills, strode effortlessly on long runs, as if I were above the ground, flying. There is something stimulating and comforting about the routine of putting on my bike gear, preparing my water bottles with Accelerade, filling my Bento box with bars and gels. I am inspired and moved by rhythm of the long run. I am caressed by the feel of the water as it laps around my body. It has been a glorious year.
True, not every day is a Hallmark training card. Two bike crashes left me scared, anxious, and doubtful. Hamstring issues made me wonder if I would ever run again. Heat waves have produced record high temps and humidity, zapping energy and motivation. Long weeks of training produce irksome issues: blistered feet, boredom, chafing, insistent hunger, bone tiredness, general crabbiness. But, these challenges make the effort worthwhile; they infuse meaning in my desire to do this race.
And, I will do this…in 14 days.
