It Takes a Village....

Here I am in Huron watching the sunrise. Twenty four hours and four minutes from now I will begin my race. I am calm and, in ten minutes, I am headed to the race sight to take a dip in Lake Erie for a very strict time of 20 minutes.

Since December I have asked so much from so many people and I am truly grateful for all the time and equipment friends, family and strangers have donated. My sister has babysat to the point that Katie has come to expect that every other Friday night is a sleepover, which includes Mommy, at Aunt Jens and an early Saturday morning bonding session with cousins that usually lasts into the early afternoon. Katie's dad, Matt, has switched our schedule around without batting an eye. Drew has given up Saturday morning sleep sessions and girlfriends have played Wii with Katie, so I can fit in a two to three hour bike session all for the price of dinner. A teammate has lent me a bike (huge deal in the biking community...HUGE). A teammate has given up an hour of his time after a long day of work to walk me through changing a tire over and over. Needless to say, I had some serious help from my "village".

This has been my most valuable lesson since December. I have never been good at counting on others. This is my lesson that I will take with me forever. My other "medal" I earn this weekend. I can ask for help and, because I love these people and I care about helping them as well, I can count on my village to help me.

Seems simple, but a milestone for me.

Off to swim!

Decide

I was speaking with a couple co-workers about my upcoming 140.6 mile journey. One thing never changes. Most of these people who ask me about the race react with, "I could never do that." I should at least give them credit for not saying the usual, "I would do an Ironman, but....."(fill in the excuse here).

I usually respond in the same way.

I truly believe that most people are physically capable of completing this distance race. Anyone who makes the DECISION to train for and complete this race and makes the DECISION to complete their workouts everyday and makes the DECISION to learn about nutrition and apply that knowledge CAN do this. That doesn't mean it's easy. If it were easy it wouldn't be as special. We have to decide who we want to be every day.

Are you the person who sets a goal, gets tired, makes excuses and gives up? OR, are you the person who sets a goal, gets tired and continues to do the work despite the obstacles?

You, we, just have to decide.