I remember that morning well. It was still dark when we left the hotel. The wind was already fierce. The American flag at the hotel was ringing its chains and flopping loud in the strong wind. Oh my. I have to do a triathlon in that? Maybe I should not risk it. Maybe the waves will be too high, and the swim will be cancelled. But the bike, what about the bike? The course is fairly open and even has a long bridge over the lake. This wind might blow us over. I think my stomach is a bit unsettled. Is this something I should postpone and avoid, for safety's sake, for sure?
When we arrived at the race site, the waves could be heard rolling in upon the shore. The wind was howling. Do you suppose they will go ahead with this? Should I attempt to go on with stuff. All my readymade and well-prepared excuses were dumped out there to supposedly add reason and wisdom, but the effect did not take. I wanted it. Fear had somehow morphed into courage, and I wanted it. I wanted to put my face in the waves and my face into the wind. I wanted the challenge to stay upright on my bike. I wanted the whole experience - even if.
Just getting out of the car and unloading the bike and my gear made me braver and I smiled just a bit inside. The swim was not easy, and I swallowed some water here and there, but I got out with a grin and a good feeling. My bike leaned with the crosswind going across the lake, but I held it firm and did not fall.
At the end of it all, I had one of my best triathlons ever. To think - what would I have missed all that by staying in that safe hotel room, or if we had turned the car around and went home and didn't race?
I think this is my situation with Ironman Texas now, many, many years later. It looks rough out there for me. The training isn't going all that well and the time is creeping up on me. I can really get hurt out there and I have legitimate excuses this time just to stay home and let this ironman thing go on by. But, what about that great experience that I might leave undone, the genie I left in the bottle.
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