Before I go off to race at Ironman Texas I wanted to write a note of thanks to the many friends, family and supporters I have had help me over the last several years of training that have brought me to this point. There is no way that I could ever remember every name, and so few of those names read this blog (much less know about its existence), but still there are so many who have been a part of helping me get to where I am now.
It has been over five years since I made the decision to embark on a path that has ultimately led me to this point. In fact, it took almost a year before I to start running once I made the decision that I would do it, and even then in that next year I managed to gain 10 pounds thinking that I could eat anything I wanted because I was running. (Was I ever wrong!)
Much of those five-plus years I wandered in the wilderness of the athletic world like a young child lost in the mall as I was overcome by the wondrous assortment of training and racing options. Ever so slowly, I learned more through experience and through the friends I made as I shared their experiences--runners and triathletes are among the kindest people, and so many of them are among my dearest friends! I saw many others around me have more apparent success than I, but that was most often measured in their goals and not mine...and I continued on my path...
The worlds of running and triathlon have given me great joy and many friends, but perhaps their greatest gift to me is their part in helping to transform a very overweight, pre-diabetic 40 year old with multiple borderline results on his physical exam to a healthy, vibrant 45 year old who is at his former high school and Marine Corps weight and whose most recent physical exam was noted as having the blood pressure of an athlete and had lost over 30% of his former weight.
No single event--not even Ironman--was ever more than a temporary stop along the way to my real goals. Those goals were always to lose weight, reclaim my health and life and to to have some fun along the way. I am happy to announce that I have accomplished those goals!! Regardless of anything that happens on May 21, no matter what the finishing time is or is not, I have already!
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I look forward to our continuing the adventure!
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4 comments:
Enjoy every minute of your journey. Godspeed!
I am glad to see you over come and make your goals. How awesome and did you ever think you would get here?? Did you ever dream that you would be doing a full ironman let alone all the half Ironman races??
I am super excited for you on Saturday, I will be at work, but I will be glued to the Ironman web site watching..
You have already won! I look forward to what is next on your journey! As well, I will be praying for you as you enjoy the fruits of your training this weekend!
Phil 4:13!
Richard - you are an inspiration to those around you and never forget that. You have been working so hard to get to this point and yet you've continued to do it with calm and determination.
No matter what, you have already won, but isn't it going to feel amazing when you have an Ironman finish under your belt?
I am anxiously awaiting your race and am so excited to see how great you're going to do!
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