The Year in Review

Given that this is my last "recovery week" of the IMAZ 2009 training season, I thought that I would take a minute to reflect on everything that's taken place this year during the course of my Ironman training. What a year it has been!

When my training partner and I signed up with 18 other people from Columbia, I am not sure that we fully grasped the concept of the "training" that would be involved in preparing for an endeavor such as Ironman. Nevertheless, we felt we were up to the challenge. Committing to training was something that both of us felt we could do. I know I felt confident about it and as time passed, I actually came to enjoy the majority of it, especially training with really cool athletes who have now become friends. However, I never once stopped back in the process of registering to ask myself, what exactly will I be giving up? What if there are other obstacles that I will encounter? Will my friends and family understand?

I was prepared for the training but I can't say that I was prepared for the training AND the obstacles along the way. Training started off with a case of patellar tendonitis in my left knee. This was discovered shortly before completing my first half marathon. Soon, I would be introduced to Dr. Renick, the Ironman doctor, and he would slowly begin making the pain go away. Additionally, I had developed a pinched nerve, neuroma, under the second toe on my right foot. Dr. Renick along with a pair of inserts from Foot Solutions solved this problem as well. Blue skies ahead.

Training continued through the Christmas holidays and into February and March before I faced my next obstacle. The dreaded sinus infection season hit me hard. I seemed to be taking antibiotics every other week as I struggled to push forward through training. Eventually, this too would pass. In the summer, I was taken down by a peritonsillar abcess that left me with no choice but to have an emergency tonsillectomy. The same day of my surgery, my father was diagnosed with esophogeal cancer and began nine weeks of chemotherapy via a 24/7 pump that soon became known as "Charlie." Seven weeks into his treatment, my grandmother (his mother) died as a result of a massive stroke. Little obstacles and disappointments that have accompanied the bigger ones have been the loss of four toenails, a bike crash, mental and physical exhaustion, missing birthday parties, not seeing friends, less time with my family, etc.

I say all of this as a reminder to myself, however, that I committed 100% to this journey almost 48 weeks ago. It wasn't until this week that I watched a video recently of Team Hoyt. Although I knew about Team Hoyt, I never had seen the two of them in action. What a truly inspirational story! As I watched the video, I thought about the obstacles that I've faced and the reality that mine pale in comparison to what this father faced in helping his son achieve something that seemed impossible. The gift that he has given to his son is priceless. It showed me the strength of a father and the determination to complete the journey despite the obstacles that he has encountered. My father's struggle with the side effects of chemo have also been a silent reminder to me of the strength and determination of my father (and others) to beat the biggest obstacle he's faced even when it was tough, painful and almost unbearable at times.

I guess what I am really saying is that I salute Team Hoyt. I salute my father's fight against cancer. And, I salute all of my friends, family members, training buddies and co-workers who have stood beside me throughout this journey. I hope to make each of you as proud as my father has made me in his struggles and to finish as strong as Team Hoyt has finished in each of their endeavors. I truly could not have done this without the love, support and understanding of those I am fortunate to surround myself with daily. So, if you are reading my blog for the first time or have been following along since Day One, thank you for your support. Now, my final goal is to F-I-N-I-S-H! :)