Too Much Attention...

Seriously, I have had way too much attention for doing an Ironman. Flowers, cards, cookies, posters, emails, texts, Facebook posts, and the hugs and cheers along the course. I am not saying I don't LOVE it...I just feel like I should have had a baby or died or something. There were so many people out there giving it their all on Sunday. I hope they all got the attention that I did!

I would say that I literally had the perfect day for my first Ironman. I enjoyed every second of 14:18 of my IM WI. The swim was crazy, and I got my ass handed to me! BUT I am proud of myself for keeping it together and not panicking. I am also proud of the fact that I didn't let it get me down. I knew that I could swim that distance much faster but on this particular day in this specific place that was not going to happen. I told my self...get over it and get over it now! I did...and running up the Helix was so incredbile with all those fans just screaming and yelling...

The bike was tough...long and super important! I knew that I had to be perfect on the bike...had to go slow enough to not kill myself, had to eat enough to be able to run, and to drink enough to not get dehydrated (and it was hotter than it felt!)I got stung by a bee at mile 100...and that felt insulting! The last 12 miles were brutal back into Madison...and I couldn't wait to start running.

The run...it was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced! Running through Madison with thousands of people screaming was so much fun! I felt pretty good right away so I knew I had done a great job on the bike. SO, I just sat back...ran and had some fun! I just couldn't wait to get to mile 18...because I had never run that far before. Every mile after that felt like a huge accomplishment! I am not sure my feet hit the ground the last mile up to the Capitol. I was just floating...with a HUGE smile on my face. I was NOT ready to stop! I could have gone farther...

What I know about Ironman is that I can now do anything I set my mind on! And so can my kids, and any one who dedicates themselves to what they love.

Find something you love...and go for it! Why not!? You might have a "State Street" Moment and your feet might not hit the ground!

Mary