A classic Pearl Jam song. Also the theme of this post. Triathlon, and Ironman in particular, is a very selfish sport. Just the other day I caught myself trying to answer a ton of pending wedding questions from the Mrs as I was trying to get out the door for an evening ride. I had to catch myself and slow down. Life is about family, not about a bike; or a run or a swim. That being said, I have a VERY supportive partner that understands my need to race right now. No matter how much one denies it, Ironman is very selfish. To finish an Ironman you must put in the training that takes you away from family and friends. To be competitive at Ironman, and triathlon in general, you must put in even more training that takes you away from family and friends. And then there is the recovery and additional sleep that is required and special nutrition, and on and on and on.
So the Pearl Jam song comes on as I'm pumping up a rather nasty climb that same night. "This is not for you." No "it's" not for anyone, but that being said, I involve others with me as I can or as they want. This is where the selfish part is a little different for me. Although I do this sport for me, I race for more than just me. I race for those that have inspired me. I race for those that have spent countless hours a day by themselves while I was out training. But there is still the ultimate question, when you are beyond pain and mental exhaustion, 8 or 9 hours into an Ironman...who do you race for? At this point, it has to be for me. But I have an Army with me. They love and support me. They make me stronger. Although it's me at mile 20 of the marathon, it's not me. It's me and my Army.
I set a PR of almost a minute on that climb. The song finished playing. I smiled knowing that Ironman Canada is just over 5 weeks away.
-T
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