Ironman 70.3 Ohio Recap

Dear Blog Diary,

So I did my 5th half Ironman, or Ironman 70.3. That’s 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.

I fully admit that my training was trash. Lot going on in life and my head/heart wasn’t in it. My groin strained, so I couldn’t train fast. My achilles constantly irritated, so I couldn’t train long. I didn’t try to beat any of my times. I simply wanted to coast/survive and get a medal.

I’m beginning to understand that the idea of “coasting” through a half ironman is an oxymoron.

I always enjoy the swim the most. So liberating swimming in open water a mile out. You’re one little fish in a school of fish.

Bike was nothing special.

Two words for the run: Zero injuries.

My mother came with me. It’s a race-cation but still, nice to get her out of Dayton. I gave her my phone to take some pictures. I showed her how to pull up the camera from the lock screen. She was there at the finish holding up the camera. It was a long day. My heart was full. You can imagine that finish line feeling.

God bless her heart. She got zero photos of the finish.

We’re getting there. She turned 67 this month and not all 67s are the same. Even she will tell you she's not as sharp as she used to be, everything takes longer. I’m so proud that she is taking these Silver Sneakers classes. I just want her to do things.

My favorite memory of my mother is one that she doesn’t remember. I was 8 or so. I wanted to throw the football with my father but he didn’t have time, so my mom volunteered. After about 4 throws, I didn’t want to anymore because she wasn’t as good as dad. I hope it didn’t hurt her feelings in that moment.

Still, as non-athletic as she was, she showed up and did her best just to try and make her son happy.

So all those pictures she didn’t get...how is that any different?

It goes without saying that preparation is key in everything. Sometimes even when you know you’re unprepared, it all turns out ok. Chipper up. You don’t know the future. More importantly, and especially when you’re not your best, keep the ones you love closest to you.

And call your mom today.

E

#ARTiculate