Lessons from Ironman 2011

Yesterday I attended my second Ironman to cheer on Troy, Greg and Tim while they competed in this year's event... (See Ironman2010 here). Just like last year, I came away from that experience with such a sense of pride for not only those guys, but for all of the competitors who put the training in and finish that race.

This year proved what we already knew: that weather is a factor, that heat makes anything more intense, and that the support of friends, family and even strangers, is just one more component which drives these athletes to the finish line- like Gatorade, water, Power Gels, and Cliff Blocks.

For what would Ironman be without the streets filled with words of love and encouragement? How could a runner withstand a marathon in the blistering sun after a 6-hour bike ride, if he didn’t know his family was waiting for him at the end? How do these people even find the strength to continue when their muscles are cramping and everything in their body is telling them to quit?

I know the answer.

Because when I see some of these people squishing into those wetsuits, gearing up for that 180km bike, or pounding the pavement slowly, but surely, one step at a time, I know that at some point in their life they set this goal, and allowed nothing to stand in their way. I am filled with awe when I yell “Great job!” from the sidelines and they smile back and say “thank you”. And in those moments I am even more intrigued with the power of the human spirit, and the might of the human body.

Although this event may not be on everybody’s bucket list, it certainly epitomizes the power of a goal. Whether you want to lose weight, eat healthier, or just live a more active life, you need to know that that is already in you. It is not out of your reach. Anything can be achieved. And when you give yourself space and time and you dedicate yourself to something, it will happen. It is the law of the universe, that what we think about, we bring about.

So plant that seed. Aim high. Create your own Ironman.