"No matter what life dishes out to you, you can always put one foot in front of another and keep going. You keep going and you cross the finish line." - Ironman finisher
This week marked 3 months since I had a total hip replacement. I have two PT sessions left then I am on my own. I've been told I am doing great it is all up to the mindset now. My mind telling my body this is the way things will be done. I am slowly returning to normal activities. I continue to increase my walking and complete a mile. It is still humbling to start again and retrain the mind and body, especially after the feats I have accomplished. I suppose at one time I felt invincible. I keep the faith and know God is watching and guiding me - correctly this time. Not that he guided me down the wrong way before.
So if you've read some of my other entries, you know that this time every year our somewhat small urban neighborhood hosts the GOAT of all triathlons. Ironman Texas - the North American championship. I knew I would be able to volunteer - to what extent I didn't know. Because I enjoyed it so much last year I signed up for two shifts at the athlete check-in. And to help our our local run club at their aid station on the run course. One of those gave me a smidge of anxiety.
The athletes did not disappoint at check-in. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them while helping them register and give them their bibs. There was a table with cow bells that celebrated every first timer. I talked with an athlete who was of course nervous - and it was his first full (I think). While chatting with him I joked and asked if he lost a bet. He replied no, it was really him and a few friends drinking whiskey one night. After a few glasses, they said "Let's do an an Ironman." And here he was - a year later. To some I am sure it sounded like a whirlwind decision at the time and now that they were getting their bibs, checking in their bikes, they probably weren't sure what they signed up for. I had the pleasure of speaking to a man who was one of the friendliest athletes to stop at my table. I asked if his wife would be watching and he said sure. He also had 3 small people as well - ended up being his young daughters. Before he walked away, I handed him 3 pink swim caps. His parting words were some of the nicest I've heard. When I told him about the beach-like aid station he said he'd look for me.
I had a day in between race day when I'd spend several hours on the run course. I was anxious the night before. Although I'm getting around better, I’m not 100% and I wasn’t sure how I would hold up. But it all melted away when I showed up to the best Hawaiian aid station. Wind was terrible whipping everything around. I knew I needed to be there for the athlete I saw at check-in just a few days earlier. He came running through our aid station right before 6:30. I took a picture of him.
When I told a volunteer at check-in I was a “double shifter” as she called it, with a look of confusion she asked “Why?” I told her why. She found that I wanted to spend all day helping admirable. I do this for motivation and inspiration.
Similar to almost ten years ago, I feel this is a fresh start. God sees what I want to do. The goals I have. I can start from where I am - not the spot I was in ten years ago. I can train correctly, get stronger, and crush my goals. Motivation and inspiration is at its finest at Ironman. Congratulations to the athletes who took on this feat and finished! I want to be like you one day.
I’ll do it of course while running with glitter all the weigh!
Christina 💗
