"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T', but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are."
- Unknown
I am officially registered for Ironman Texas! A full Ironman - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run - all of it, done by me. For a good part of the next 10 months, I will be physically and mentally preparing myself. I'm sure I'll be even more excited after traveling to Ironman Louisville at the end of August and hanging out at the finish line for several hours (Lord knows I want to see the 'magic hour' of 11 to midnight!). I can't wait to see amazing things there and then to turn around and have my own Ironman journey.
When I think too much about the actual event, I get very nervous for the chaos of the swim. It makes no sense as I've been a swimmer my entire life. I'm a strong swimmer. I've also never run a marathon. You'd think I might have some nerves related to that? No, not really. And I'm not yet an incredibly strong biker. But, I will get there and I will remember this about the start:
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
- Frank Herbert, Dune (a fellow October 8th birthday friend!)
Jonathan sent me that quote the day of sign-ups and I love it.
I am so, so excited for this. The journey will be intense and tiring and rewarding and on May 18, 2013 I will become an IRONMAN with my husband by my side.
