Epic...

An Epic.
Something hidden in the ancient past.
Something dangerous now unfolding.
Something waiting in the future for us to discover.
Some crucial role for us to play.

How familiar does that sound if you're training for an Ironman?

I know people training for their first Ironman, and people training for their 10th, and everybody is telling their story. It comes in a race report, or a phone call at night describing what happened in a workout, or downloading your heart rate data to a blog. It sounds so trivial, but this is us, humans, opening ourselves up and making something significant out of our journey.

It is not the Ironman itself, or the climb up Everest, or the runner trying to run 300 miles straight. It is the story behind it. It is the "reason," the chain of events that lead to this decision, and the preparation required to get there.

And we all believe ours is important. And, of course, we are all correct in believing that. So, anytime someone seems to be boring me with another story of their 30k run in the park, or a race report I have heard a thousand times over, or another blog with another person's journey described in excruciating detail, I believe this is our form of expression of who we are.

The Ironman was not created by accident. It was put out there as a challenge to people all over the world. "Can you do this?" And all of us who attempt it for the first time say, affirmatively (and with our chequebook and signature, mind you) "Yes, I can do this." Then, when we've done it, we think "Can I do it better?"

The course and the past are laid out behind us. Peter Reid, Lori Bowden, Tim DeBoom, all the Ironman "legends" out there for us to follow. The great thing is that, at 6:59am on race day, we all line up at the same rope in the water, waiting for a cannon to start our day. At 6:59 we are all identical... At 7:00am, we are all unique.

This fits the definition of "epic." Even if you are a hero to nobody but a 4 year old watching from the beach thinking you look funny in a wetsuit... You're still part of an epic tale. An article will be written for a magazine about the race you run and, while your name may not be in it, you'll be one of the "soldiers" in the story who goes forth in hot temperatures, gail force winds, or whatever conditions present themselves.

There is a danger now unfolding as we get into the "there's no turning back" phase of the season, and we're all faced with daily trials and tribulations as we prepare, practice and condition ourselves further. For those of us doing Ironman Canada this year, it is 14 1/2 weeks to race day. Our future is not far away. Every day is significant now. While it may seem "trite" and "trivial" recounting interval splits and workout regimes, each is part of a bank account that we must be adding value to each and every day. My coach describes training in that way, as an investment. You have to start early and deposit often in order to reap the greatest rewards. Those who try to cram it all into one month could, possibly, realize their goal, but will benefit far less than the ones who have been putting in the time on a daily basis.

And, talking with others about it is a form of therapeutic debriefing. Sometimes we look for some kind of hidden advice, but most often we're just unloading our training story so we can start fresh the next time. Partly, that's why I am writing this blog. It's a public and rather introspective self-examination, but it also just lets me think "out loud." It's repetitive sometimes, and it's not really much in the way of "reporting", but I figure it's a great way to look back and go "what was I thinking about then?". Because, for me, it isn't about showing up on the day of the race, doing it, and going home after. I like the whole experience of Ironman, from the Parade of Nations and Gyro Park concerts, to the underpants run, to the nervous energy of 2000+ excited souls on race day. It's just a magical moment. There are a few things that give you goosebumps in this world, and Penticton on the last weekend of August presents a myriad of opportunities for that. It is as much a festival and celebration of human potential as it is a race.

And that is why I believe that, to be truly genuine as an athlete at Ironman, you need to put your time in. It makes the race taste a little better, and the reality that it is hard work and dedication that make the athlete, rather than pure talent, is what inspires people. I am inspired by the athlete who works harder than anybody else to make herself/himself better. Far more than the gifted athlete who takes those skills for granted.

Be at the finish line at 11:59pm on the day of the race, and watch as thousands of spectators cheer in the last remaining competitors on the course and push them to glory far greater than most of us ever dream of, and you will see what I am talking about. Ironman makes heroes out of the person who comes in last, and we all appreciate that, whether you come in at 8hrs30minutes, or17 hours and even beyond that, when you hit a finish line, you are somebody's hero... You're playing a role in this epic.

Make sure you look the part!