- My family is coming (Mom = spectator, Dad = racer).
- I feel very ready.
- I love the scenarios that only race day can create, I believe it brings out the best performances. I want one of these on Sunday!
- Friends, friends, friends - lots of them at IMAZ.
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| IMAZ 2012 - Jeff & Becky will be on course again - hopefully dancing. |
Looking back on my race here last season I realize so many things have changed in the past year, not only in my racing, but in my personal life. I came into IMAZ last season with a nothing-to-lose attitude and was happy to finish 10th with a 9:22. It made me realize I really want to get close to that 9 hour barrier. One year later and I get to try again to go faster, move up the ladder, push myself farther than at one point I ever thought possible.
I've learned a lot about myself in the past year. I survived a divorce. I learned who my true friends were. I learned to deal with judgmental people (I don't do well with this - mostly I pushed them all away). But through it all, I also learned that although life sometimes can break our hearts, everything that happens along the way was worth the journey. I don't regret any of the time I spent with Steven and although there are times when it might be easier to be angry or upset, I would honestly rather remember the good times.
Ironman - like life - is a journey where we plan everything out, and it often does not play out the way we had hoped. However, if you can look past the mistakes, problems and trials, there is always a lesson to be learned and something positive to take away. It is always possible to pick yourself back up and try, try, try again to chase your dreams. Whether you are racing an Ironman Sunday, or just racing through life, I hope you will fight to the end, smile along the way, and enjoy the journey - this is your life and you only get to live it once.
