There is something freeing about being able to accept one's experiences for what they are. To live, as the monstrously overused phrase dictates, "in the moment". As athletes we are wisely told to control the things we have control over and to forget about everything else. We hear this a lot in Ironman circles because the race is so bloody long that the opportunities for things to go wrong are multitude. And many of those things are out of our control like weather, wind and water temperature. At about mile 37 of the 56 mile bike course in St Croix, I punctured. Even though i wasnt exactly having the race of my life, I was definitely focused and in the moment, so when I realized my back tire was flat, it didnt even occur to me to get angry or upset, I just thought, "Well, better change that now." Three tubes, six cartridges and a broken valve later, I still wasn't back on my bike.
Once the mechanic found me, he fixed the problem and I was able to finish the bike course and rolled into transition about an hour later than expected. As i dismounted and walked towards my running shoes, I pondered whether i should run or not. I hummed and hawed and slowly put on my socks and shoes, though deep down i realized that the decision was already made. I simply had to accept it and stop resisting. So i ran.
I wanted the highlight of my trip to be the race itself but thats not what i got. I wanted to find out exactly where my fitness was at compared to girls like Catriona, Angela and Mirinda, but thats not what i got. I wanted to push hard and kick my own ass in a race, but that's not what i got.
Instead, I had the opportunity to go to a race and behave like a professional athlete in circumstances that were far from ideal. I got to stay with one of the most wonderful homestay famillies of my career and catch up with some old friends. I got to go out for nice meals and swim in the ocean and ride my bike in the heat.
My one hope is that next time i can accept what is happening more quickly and completely. If i could do it again, I wouldnt dawdle so much after getting back on the bike and I wouldnt take all that extra time in transition "deciding" whether to run. I would accept the inevitable more freely. And above all, if i could do it again, I would carry a spare valve extender in my saddle bag.
Special thanks to Ed, Linda, Beth, Ted, Will and Nia who accepted me with open arms. Thanks to all the people who stopped and donated CO2 cartridges on the bike course. Thanks to Bill and ProCityCycles who got my new Trek Speed Concept up and rolling in time for the race and thanks to Zoot who got me into some new race gear and shoes. Big thanks to Rob Hasegawa who kept me running with twice-weekly treatment. Special thanks to Grandma Pearl who helped take care of Rosalee while i was off having my adventures and to my dearest Clinton who is my heart and my life.
I look forward to more awesome experiences in St. Croix.
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