But despite that weekend, Penticton is a relatively quiet town, and Ironman, despite the carnival during the last weekend of August, is still a relatively out-of-the-norm sport. Even though people clamour for the 2500 available slots each and every year at Ironman events, we're still a rather weird group in the eyes of the mainstream.
Certainly, we aren't put in the same level as hockey, but probably not even the same as many televised sports around the globe. I think part of this is due to the fact that it is especially difficult, and often boring, mind you, to watch an Ironman event 'live'. It's really like going to the PNE or something. You hang out for a few hours and then get on with your day, never really sure of the specifics of the whole event.
If Ironman were run like a NASCAR event, we'd see countless loops of a large track for the bike, and several loops of a running track for the run, and every spectator would get to see every athlete.
But it isn't done that way. We're a little more of an established event than, say, an ultramarathon event, which sometimes consists of a map, a compass, a start and a finish line, and little more. But we're still pretty much on the fringe.
The sponsorships and prize money are growing, but they're nothing compared to other professional sports. Athlete's, even pro's, carry other jobs to make ends meet. We're excited when Timex gives us a free watch, or a bike shop gives us a free tune-up as a draw prize. We love to get a technical running shirt as a finisher's prize because, well, it gives us a new item of clothing to run in. Can you imagine every hockey player, upon finishing the regular season, going for their "bonus cheque" and receiving a jersey for next season? Then again, for them that might mean job security...
No, we're all a bit nuts. We carry day jobs and fight our best to be as alert as possible each day of work, knowing full well that the only way we can sustain our Ironman "hobby" is through gainful employment in a job that, for most of us, has little or nothing to do with endurance racing. From 9am-5pm or, in my case, 7am-3pm, we owe our time to our jobs. If we could only spend that time getting in a quality workout, or some recovery sleep, or a massage, wouldn't we be just THAT much better?
And some of us have a family. I have a loving mom and dad, a brother, a sister-in-law, and a beautiful extended family... I haven't taken that step and found a partner to start a family with. She's out there, but we just haven't crossed paths (or we have but at the wrong time for one of us). But I have those obligations, and I don't try to shirk them. I have friends... Fortunately, many of them share this activity, but a few do not... How do I include them in my life? It's difficult when I need to get a workout in, go to work at 7am, and sleep 7-8 hours a night (which I rarely do).
I like to have a drink or two occasionally, I like to do non-triathlon things, non-running things, and activities that are not related to either of my main hobbies - like golfing, skiing, softball, hockey, etc....
By that account, I'm recreational as an Ironman athlete. I have a slim to no chance of ever sitting atop a podium (though I will keep trying ;)), or making any money off prizes or endorsements, save the occasional free pair of socks... And there are at least 2300 people this year who are like me, who all set out to do the Ironman, and who all have a life they have to live that has little to do with Ironman...
Nope, we don't run for money or recognition, just for passion. This is a true labour of love that we embark on and I know this, because the first thing I thought about after I finished is, "wait until next year". I have developed a self-discipline and commitment to making this a part of my life. I almost never missed a planned workout this year, except for when I broke my thumb. I am making it my goal to not miss a planned workout next year. Some days it is tough to get off the couch, but when I sit there, watching a sitcom and staring at my laptop, hoping someone MSN's me or I get an e-mail to prolong my procrastination, I start to think of how much I really love that feeling of being at the starting line, the preparation the few days before, and how much fun it is when you go out for a ride and really feel a flow, or a lake swim, or a nice long run in the trails.
Then I have a reason to get moving.
I have a few friends who are in the same boat, training for the Ironman, or ultramarathons, or something of that nature, with whom I can share this burden of training during my waking hours, when others are out getting ready to hit the clubs. These are the folks I can confide in when I don't feel quite "right", because they say "c'mon, just get out for a quick run and you'll feel better". We support each other, and keep each other balanced in life. I have a few friends like that. I think that my future partner-to-be will be someone who shares those values and can be part of this experience.
Mostly, this year, I like feeling like I earned my spot at the starting line. I really felt, walking up to the water before 7am, that I had put a year of solid effort into making sure I got here. I had weathered some personal tragedies, depression, heart-breaks and heart-aches, injury, flat tires, flat shoes, job changes, other uncertainties.
I also celebrated many highs, like:
- a 32 minute personal best at the Osoyoos Half Ironman, with a killer bike split (despite a bike crash) and a 2 minute personal best swim split.
- Finishing two marathons after not having run one marathon since 2003.
- Some small placings at running races that let me know I was getting back on track.
- Finding a new coach with whom I feel I can reach new heights in the future.
- Meeting Lisa Bentley and learning some really great lessons from her.
- Being on the Ironcops Team and making some great friendships and connections, both in B.C. and with the team from Edmonton.
- Some great road trips with friends for races and camps, with Dominique and Natalie for the Victoria Half Ironman, Michael and Rachel for the Osoyoos Half Ironman, Lenka for the Ironcops camp, and Dominique and Pascal for the Ironman weekend. All great trips with some fond memories and stories along the way.
- Watching Karen, from Ironcops, finish the Ironman!
- Floating down the canal with the Ironcops team on the Tuesday after.
- My brother's wedding. My brother and his wife's news of a baby on the way...
(notice how my list of highlights is longer!)
I wrote a sometimes self-indulgent, introspective account of this year on this blog. I know, sometimes it really is just about me. I guess that's my prerogative, since it's my journal, but I also wanted to bring out some of the realities of what it is like to train for Ironman. I think the thing I realize most is that life continues, despite the fact that I want it to remain static while I trained. Things continued to happen, people evolved, friends moved on thinking I was too absorbed with this childish quest to have time for them. Life happens... In any story. Nothing is completely free of complication. In fact, I think that if Ironman were just about training and saving up for the weekend, then it wouldn't be worth doing. It's the fact that I have to work, live with others, relate to my friends, try to go out on a date once and a while, and plan for the future, that makes it worthwhile to train for the Ironman. Next year will be a completely different story. I may have more things to add about life outside of training, or maybe less.
As I move into the next phase of my Ironman journey, I realize that this really has only just begun to flesh itself out. I thought the story might end after this Ironman, but I can firmly say that it does not. A lot of what I do in this, I confess, involves a certain level of selfishness. A lot of this is for my own personal fulfillment. My parents are proud of me for doing this, but would rather I didn't... My family thinks I am borderline obsessive, and most of my non-triathlon friends sometimes get involved but it is rare. Still, I think I am a better person for it. I have managed to avoid skipping out on the "important things" in life. Family trips and weddings were never missed this year. My family have a dinner every Sunday evening that I rarely missed and, if so, it was because I was coming back from a race (and I still made it, just a little late). I took no work days off for training, save the weekend of Ironman, which I had planned to take off even before I HAD a job to take off from. I went to bed a little earlier, especially as the summer hit and training became more of a priority, but for the most part I was out with friends whenever the opportunity arose. I volunteered for my Fraternity and on many weekends was out of town on business, but I still went, and I still did what I needed to do.
In truth, I think that the Ironman really saved me this year. I don't know if I was made for safe havens. I don't think I was ever meant to take things easy. I create memories and have found spiritual lights in a lot of my racing this year. I truly have come to terms with the power of living with intention and purpose, and trusting that the universe will provide what you need. That girl on the side of the road at Ironman was the final nail in the truth for me. Nothing will replace the loss of my grandfather this year, but I feel his presence, and my grandma's, and my family and friends who left me this year and in the past, when I race. It's like I have angels overhead, guiding me towards the next turn, and shaking me when I stray too far off the path (read into that "don't take a corner too fast or out of control or you'll pay for it...").
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet
And whither then? I cannot say.--- J. R. R. Tolkien
I guess I call this the end of chapter one, but the beginning of chapter two. I'm going to be spending the next month re-energizing and re-charging. I can't, and wouldn't, take the month off completely, as I have the Portland Marathon coming up on October 1st. After that, I will have a few weeks to sit down with my coach, Dean Stanton, and start plotting out the next year. I'll start back with swimming in mid-October, and also get in some boxing workouts and weight training as I head into winter. I do plan to get skiing this winter, at least to break things up a bit, and to get into yoga.
I have new travel companions this year. Michael has signed up for Ironman, and I think that will be a great benefit throughout the year, as we push each other. The competition is really about myself, but I also think it helps having someone else to work alongside with. I have a second year with Dean to coach me, and I made some great strides this year, especially in swimming and biking.
And, who knows, there is a whole year of life ahead. I'm a single guy, so there could be some dating, or something more permanent, in my future. I have started a new job, and have built up a good writing habit - some might say a little long-winded but that's what editors are for! - and have some business ideas... I have a garage to finish building and a new nephew or niece on the way... Some things are already being planned and, for others, the story has yet to be written. I'm ready to get started, though!
"Recovery is overrated..." - Jim Vernon
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