I am dedicating each ten day block of training to important people in my life.
The next 10 days of training are dedicated to an incredible person.
Y-O-U.
![IMG_0200[1]](https://www.swimbikemom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_02001.jpg)
You. My precious SBM friends.
You. My real life and virtual SBM friends.
You. Those of you SBM friends with big dreams… little dreams… and BIG HEARTS.
I started writing in August of 2010 about my raw, scary little triathlon dreams. And the dreams became bigger, the posts longer (and more full of worries and gripes and whining)… but you all have stuck with me, and encouraged me more than you’ll ever know.
I get emails every day thanking ME for the blog, the book or whatever…. but really, I want to thank YOU! YOU! YOU!
Thank you for reading and responding and sending emails that help me just keep moving forward …every day. Thank you for sharing your stories… and thank some of you for telling me to “suck it up buttercup” when necessary (and then I, in turn, tell you guys to suck it up… see how that works?)
I have received messages that have made me cry—good and bad tears. I’ve received comments that have made me furious. I have received messages that I am still scratching my head about…. but all comments and emails have been great lessons and experiences and motivation.
With 2 months left to my first Ironman… I am in a weird position with my injury and my inability to run… but I am also in a very blessed place… to have all of you rooting me on. So I thank you. I truly believe that this 140.6 miles can be crossed… by a speedy swim, a solid bike, and a prayer-covered run/walk/crawl of the marathon. Because I know you are all going to be there in spirit with me during each mile.
I just received the most wonderful email from a fellow blogging friend who just caught up on all my recent Ironman drama… she wrote something so awesome, I am still tearing up. It’s probably one of the best Ironman pep talks ever.
Here it is:
“I just want you to know that everything you are feeling – with the hunger, the injury, the why-did-I-sign-up-for-this, the I’m-the-only-one-in-an-XL-kit, the sleepiness, the doubt, the anticipation, etc. IT’S ALL TOTALLY NORMAL. It’s what will make YOUR finish so much more magical. Because you’ll sob like a baby (other people do that right?) when you are a mile out and you know you did it. You won’t hear a thing as you run down that finish line chute. You will totally miss Mike Reilly saying “Meredith Atwood, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN”. You’ll have these visions of high fiving people and rolling over the finish line or dancing down the shoot, but you will forget that you wanted to do that because you will be in some other universe for those 500 yards. You might trip on the finish line (I did that my first year… literally almost face planted and that was my finish picture from my first Ironman) and you’ll just laugh through the tears and snot that are plastering your already salty face. The next day you won’t be able to sit on the toilet or might be able to sit, but won’t be able to stand. That will make you laugh. You’ll buy overpriced pictures and coats and shirts that don’t just say “I’m an Ironman”. They say “I’m a badass” and you will wear them proudly for years to come.”
It’s messages like that… that keep me going… in spite of my self, my self-doubts, my fears.
Because of Y-O-U guys… I will just keep moving forward. Right to Couer d’Alene.
Thank you.
OMG! The post from your friend feels like it was written to ME! (well except for the injury part… so far! ) I am going to copy that and read it over and over because it makes me laugh and cry at the same time and inspires me to finish-that I CAN! (much like your posts do!!) Here’s to hoping there are no face plants at the finish line!! lol!!! = ) Good Luck and Keep Moving Forward!! = )
Oh, Meredith, YOU’VE created a great support group here — it’s no wonder you received such a motivational message, because you get what you give. I read your blog and often wonder how the hell you do it all.. I mean IM training is hard enough in it of its self, but the blog, the book, the effort outside of training? Holy cannoli! All that to just say she’s right and I’m glad you received the timely message. It’s been great to watch your journey, and these last 60 days are going to send you on quite a ride. We’ll all be here reading, commenting, quietly sending nothing but positive thoughts your way. ♥
I don’t know who wrote that pep talk but it makes *me* want to do an Ironman!! How wonderful to have him/her in your corner! Between you and Dimity both racing in CDA, I would love to be at the finish line to cheer you guys in! Go get ’em!!
love this. loved the email from your bloggy friend…cos she is sooooo right. She’s right about the sitting or inability to sit…and she’s right that it’s freaking hilarious! I’m so glad I was able to send you some encouraging words….( kinda giddy I made your blog twice!) and it’s so exciting that you are 60 days out from the most amazing experience ( athletic) of your life. I was running a tough brick run today with a friend whose husband does Ironman races and she asked my how I could possible have run a marathon after riding 112 miles with an injured knee. My reply was simple ” because you have to. You have no other option. And knowing that everyone else is in the same boat makes it non negotiable.”….Happy Hump Day!
I love the emails! And all the struggles and insecurity and how far you’ve come will make it that much sweeter! You are definitely an inspiration. So much that I’m thinking about doing a half Ironman and then possibly a full (if I can get better at swimming, lol). Just keep strong and keep going!
That.Is.Awesome!
🙂 You know how I feel! xo