Make no mistake, this year has been a great one so far personally. Getting engaged, and life in general has been amazing, but training for this race was troubling at times. Dealing with injury and the mental aspect was the biggest task. Getting better, setbacks, having an able and fit body being held back by a single tendon is just agonizing. Luckily everything just seems to have fallen into place over the past month and my confidence has come back to push hard for what my goals always are for a race.
Goals can be tricky, and publishing them for the world is a daunting task for many people. My high school basketball coach, Coach Bell, taught us that if you don't let people know what you intend to do, you really don't believe you can achieve them to begin with. If you fail in those goals, sure some people may take selfish pride in seeing you fail, but those people shouldn't matter. Taking a risk and publicly going for lofty goals is what takes a person to the next level in their aspirations. Stepping foot on the start line for a race, especially and Ironman, you need to know why you are there or when things get tough, the dark thoughts can create doubt as to "why the hell would someone do this to themselves?!"
So here they are:
#1 Finish
#2 Break 10 Hours
#3 Kona Qualification
#4 Podium for my Age Group
#5 Finish Top 20 Overall for Age Groups
If I fail in any of these goals, I will be alright with it as long as I know I put forth my best effort. Flat tires, strange race conditions, random health issues can all happen in any race, but I know in my own heart that I will have left my race on the course and not look back.
As always, thanks to my family, friends and coaches for their thoughts and encouragement. I'm looking forward to a great week visiting with family I haven't seen in a long time and showing New York to Whitney for the first time.
