Triathlon can be a selfish sport, especially during ironman training. Weekdays revolve around morning and evening workouts, second breakfasts, 9:30p dinners and somehow squeezing in an eight-hour workday. There are long run Saturdays and seven-hour Sundays. Between all that, there’s little time for anything else.
Through all that training, through the jam-packed swimbikerun schedule, the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the me-me-me, I had some pretty spectacular and incredibly supportive people there every step of the way. I couldn’t have made it to the Ironman Canada start line or finish line without them! #grateful #luckygirl
With that, thank you…
Nick
He put up with my crabbiness without a word. He calmed my self-doubt. And, he never lost faith in me. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life and triathlon! I am so lucky… and so thankful for the Hamline+Summit stoplight. (Check out his Ironman Canada race report!)
Family
My amazing family – Mom, Dad, Sista Ami and niece, Finley – made the trek to Whistler to cheer. I mean, my parents drove 20+ hours across the country, and my sis hopped a plane with a six-month-old! There’s nothing easy about either. Having their support – both throughout my training and on race day – means the world to me, and I can’t imagine crossing the finish line without them there. Thank you for understanding, for your patience and for supporting me through it all! During the off-season, there will be a trip (or two) up north to visit my folks and grandparents as well as many, many sister nights (with Finley, too, of course).
Nick’s mom
Mary is a super sherpa! She’s been at every race and has an amazing ability to appear all over the course. And, this is big… she drove our bikes from Saint Paul to Whistler, saving us the huge expense of shipping our bikes internationally. Thank you!
Coach(es)
There is no way I would have been prepared for race day without a coach. Thank you, Joe Moyer of Moyerland Coaching, for the solid base! And, Johnny Surprise… I am forever grateful. Two months out from race day, he pushed me far outside my comfort zone and was such a positive, motivational light. Thank you!
Friends
Pretty sure I didn’t see most of them for months. Thank you for putting up with my tardiness to dinners and for my general MIA-ness. I’m excited to catch up with everyone during the off-season!
This body
I’ve pushed it farther than I thought possible and then pushed it a bit more. While it hasn’t always liked 5:30a workouts or 100 miles in the saddle, it’s carried me far – 3,800+ miles of swimbikerun in 2013 – without injury. And, I still occasionally have to pinch myself that my little legs carried me 140.6 miles IN ONE DAY! I’m so grateful that I’m healthy enough to participate in a sport I love.
Readers
I never thought my little corner of the interwebs would have a following. So, thank you, sweet sweat readers, for following my journey and for all the virtual cheers!
15 Comments
In ONE day?! Cracks me up. See you and Nick in Madison for IMWI. Class of 2014 coming!
Ha! Thanks, Adam! We’ll see you there! It’s gonna be an awesome year and race!
Great post. I was doing my first 140.6 up the road in Penticton while you were doing IMC. You’re comments reflect my feelings about my friends and family as well. You don’t race this distance alone; it requires a lot of support. Congrats to you and your supporters!
Big congrats to you on your first 140.6! How did it go?! I’ve heard so many good things about Penticton and will definitely look into racing there someday 🙂
Awe, I got all teary eyed reading this! Love the pic of your grandparents watching the live feed (or are they searching for deals on wetsuits for you??) Miss you and can’t wait to catch up!
They really are the sweetest! I had no idea they watched until after the race… made it so much sweeter knowing they were able to watch, too! Let’s get together again soon, friend!
oh, and if you need any help with goal #20 you know who to call! 🙂 Wee ski!
You know I’ll hit you up for Birkie advice when I decide to sign up again 🙂
No problem 😉 It has been such an incredible journey for you, and I’m so glad to have followed your every step. You’re also a very lucky girl to have such great people supporting your dreams and your efforts to get you there. And to have gone injury-free, you’re doing something right!
It really was a great journey, and I feel so fortunate to have so many amazing people cheering me on every step of the way. Thank you, Danielle!
I love this!!! You are absolutely right, too.
It’s amazing how supportive family and friends are despite being neglected for months. And our bodies are phenomenal for taking the pounding and the stress in stride.
The photo of the grandparents is so sweet. I’m so happy you have such a strong support system to help achieve your goals.
We definitely couldn’t get to the start line without the support of amazing (and understanding) friends and family! Thanks, dear!
Beautiful post! So well written!
Thank you!
Thank you!!