Funny thing, really... the only muscle that hurt the morning after Ironman Wisconsin was my heart.Standing under an umbrella in the middle of a crosswalk I felt lonely. The culmination of all that is, and was, my race became incarnate and rolled away into a misty Madison rain.
That was the time to let the loss soak in, while rain soaked my shoes. Let water fall over cheeks then. The more released, the less will be felt later. At the very least, that's my prayer.
The sadness wasn't because I was disappointed with my performance or experience. Oh, far from it. In an odd way, the surreal scene of what was Ironman Village was the perfect validation of the race reality. It's just that I was lost... disoriented ... without my Soulful Purpose.
The center of the Ironman Universe that existed just hours before pulled up stakes overnight. The finishing grandstand was gone. Vendor tents were closed tight. Thumping music under the announcer's voice was replaced by the patter of raindrops on the umbrella. Ironman Village was deserted except for a couple of people rummaging through a pile of unclaimed items dumped on a knoll. The carbon bikes: gone. Families sporting inspiring tshirts: gone. Uber-fit bodies in shorts: gone. Ironman fever: gone.
As if all of the landmarks of familiarity were swept away. Except for these. I had a map and a calendar. With those I found my way back to a post-Ironman life. The map reoriented me and the calendar reset the clock for future races and reunions.
Thankfully, certain things remain; like races, a Soulful Purpose, and love.
This life is good and getting better.
Maaaaaaaaaan, I love this sport.
Stay tuned...
18 comments:
And there will always be many more who will need you to take up their cause.
The rain the day after Ironman did make Madison sort of a sad place. It also made a lot people very thankful for good weather for the race.
There's always another race and always the cause. You did a wonderful thing with your fundraising and 540 over 140.6.
Here - check this out. You will recognize yourself as part of the solution to a very big problem:
http://completerunning.com/archives/2007/09/29/running-for-cause/
Ya, I know the feeling -- hard to replace that anticipation of the race that seemed to be impossible for me to complete.
The rainy morning seemed fitting didn't it...however blue skys are on the horizon, new challanges to be won, new adventures yet to be had..go on TriBoomer...experience all that life has to offer!!!
I cried all the way out of town after IMLP this year. Part relief, part letdown, part pride. It's an odd thing to have focused on something for so long and then suddenly it's gone. It may be a tough couple weeks but find something to focus on and enjoy the extra time. Congrats!
Yeah. Tough to embrace the day after an iron-distance event as much as the day of an iron-distance event. How human of us!
I hear ya, friend.
That's why I have at least 4 things on my calendar all year round. That way it never feels like it's over.
hugs.
Yep, there'e always more. Have to wait to find out what it is.
It's people like you who inspire me to keep training and always seek to accomplish more. Nice job on the Ironman!!
Rain rocks, the more rain the better. Ya can't beat running in the rain.
Congrats!
So much more to come! (Definitely stayin' tuned!)
It is tough sometimes going from all the excitement of a big event to it all being over the next day. There's always more though :-)
Nicely said. I always feel sad after a huge accomplishment like that!
powerful post. well said!
Belated congrats on IMWI... I mean, IMMoooooo. :D
Great post, I can relate to the post Ironman blues. I think I handle it by just getting back in the saddle.
I noticed on someone's blog you will be at the Toyota US Open. Good Luck, I'll be one of the many refs.
Thankful. That's what Tac is for this community and knowing people like you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your hard work. This is an amazing community to be a part of. GO TEAM!
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