Journey to IRONMAN: Shall We Begin?

Bob and I love the new revamps of the Star Trek movies.  LOVE them, especially the second one where we have the return of Khan! (For those of you non-Trekkies.....don't worry....he's just a really cool bad guy).  Benedict Cumberbatch gives a fantastic performance as the tormented Khan.  You just can't help but love to hate him.  The first 2/3rds of the movie is this big lead up....is he good....is he bad.....is he just misunderstood? Captain Kirk thinks he has their problems solved and the battle waged when in one shocking turn of events Khan becomes the villain everyone suspected and the good guys realize they have been screwed.....completely, creatively and slyly.  Khan proudly points out the futility of their situation and then coyly speaks.....

"Shall we begin?......"

It's the moment that sets the movie in motion because THAT is when the real battle begins. It's all lead-up...... till that moment.

Well......all the lead up of the past 9 years......the anticipation from the last 3 years........the excitement of the past one has all culminated in this.........the final 12-week push to IRONMAN.  Its here....the final stretch to the summit.  The volume, the time, the distance.  Its time.

Shall we begin?

YES.....lets do this!  I will admit that a week and a half ago I had a little breakdown.  When a dream that you have becomes this soon to be reality and you see that it is in reach if only you can stick on the path, it is equal parts terrifying and exciting.  A million what-ifs try to break into the resolve that you have surrounded yourself with and suddenly you become so obsessed with the race and the elephant of training left to do that you forget the journey.  More aptly you forget the JOY of the journey.

 

My coach is an incredible person......and she is surrounded and mentored by truly incredible people.  One of those people is the owner of Racelab, Bettina, who has coached more athletes to IRONMAN than most, and who is currently coaching a para-triathlete Olympian.  I am blessed to know Bettina through Dawn and look up to her in a big way.  This fascinating and inspiring woman has a quote.

"Focus on the process, NOT the outcome."

Right now.....with 12 weeks left, this quote is so true, so apt and so poignant.  Right now it is important to not loose the fun and joy of the process amidst the expectations and hope for the outcome.  Sure....a lot can happen in 12 weeks, but every day is a step of the journey.  The success of IRONMAN is swimming, biking and running through each day.  Not just the race.  The joy is easy to miss when you are worried about your 5-hour bike ride, 16-mile run and 5k swim coming up.  The journey is so sweet.  Each day is worth enjoying and loving.

That said....I'm here, at the final stretch, the big stuff is coming and the final push to IRONMAN is here. I have what it takes.....but its gonna take all I got.

Shall we begin?