The men behind the mission

Hello faithful readers!

From time to time someone will ask me how I stay motivated to train through the winter, even when not doing an Ironman in the spring.... I have to admit that there are times when I would rather whine at the weather channel than bundle up and boogie out the door, but I always think of a few people who have influenced some of my decisions, and a few people who keep me going.

First off, the people who say "I could never do that" are wrong... they could if that was their goal in life. I don't consider myself at this point to be anything more than a mid packer at best... but I am out there doing it when so many don't. They are the people who make me more determined to finish, to show them that dreams can come true, and that is this almost 50 yr old can huff and puff my way to a nice tshirt, they can too, if that is THEIR dream.... just do it!

The people that keep me going, however, are some of the people who are firmly entrenched in my life, and others who have crossed my path for whatever reason. The motivation for getting out there every day and racing has always been in part, and always will be, my late dad. My dad was always so proud of my athletic endeavours, though he said virtually nothing to me. He was a very quiet, hardworking, non complaining man who was an exceptional athlete in his youth... a baseball standout and a fellow who reportedly could race with the best.... even in workboots!

After my dad passed away from the complications of multiple myeloma in December of 2000, I felt his presence in every race I did. At that time, I was miserable, married to an unsupportive spouse whose goal in life seemed to undermine my success in anything I did, and not racing... I was also a lot heavier, out of shape.... and signed up for Ironman Canada. I decided that since for the last 15 years of his life walking a block was a struggle because of a deteriorating spine, I would get into shape and let him see me doing what he couldn't. I am convinced my dad is up in heaven, sitting in a leather recliner and watching hockey with Rocket Richard. In the off season, he watches me race. So.... I joined Weight Watchers and started training with a lot more dedication, and the funny thing was, every time I felt like stopping, I felt like my Dad was sitting on my left shoulder shaking his head.... I ran through a lot of fatigue, and my Dad sat on my shoulder the whole way through Ironman that year.. I pinned a cloth rose on my shirt to remind me of him, and to push myself through what he could never imagine doing. When I crossed that finish line in Penticton in August of 2001, my Dad did too. My feet bled, my legs hurt like hell, and I thought I would never be able to sleep enough ever again... but I did it. Shortly after that race, I sized his wedding ring to fit my finger, my mom having given me the ring just before he died... I never take it off.

During a conversation with my Mom a few weeks ago, she said if my dad was alive now, he would be on the plane with me and sitting on the sidelines cheering, no doubt embarassing me by telling everyone in talking range which was his kid. So Dad, you'll be perched on that shoulder and doing another Ironman soon.

The other person I will be thinking of during my race on March 1st is my friend Chris. When I feel tired and whiny, I think of my friend... he is 30, tall, handsome, funny.... and fighting for his life, undergoing chemo and a stemcell transplant to beat Hodgkins disease... I have visited a few times, and his spirits never flag. How on earth can I complain, how can I quit when putting one arm over the other in the lake, climbing another hill on my bike or putting one foot in front of the other on the run is so inconsequential and easy compared to his race? I will be wearing something yellow on race day, the colour of hope for cancer patients.

So guys, though I'll be half a world a way from you, Chris, and even farther from you, Dad, you guys will be the men behind my mission, the inspiration for Ironman #3, and a big part of why I will succeed, no matter how fast or slow. You will both be crossing the finish line holding hands with me....

Til then, do something for someone who can't, just because ... YOU CAN.

Michele the Ironchick, LaGrange, or just plain Mitchell