Things I look forward to

Thirteen Things that I look forward to in my

1st Ironman Race this Sunday June 24th 2007

1) Actually being one of the thousands that are walking around pre-race in a wetsuit

2) The overwhelming anticipation of the starting gun for the “mass swim start”

3) Having my pre-race Security Blanket & Pacifier (Jessi) by my side at the swim start
4) Proving to myself that I am ready for this race

5) Seeing and appreciating all the amazingly fit bodies and knowing that I am racing with them

6) Trading cheers with the 23 other Tri Fusion Members that I know who will be racing out on the course

7) Racing on the same course as all the Pro Men Athletes, well actually all the men

8) Seeing those beautiful “Kathi Best” Cheer Squad T-shirts along the course

9) Hearing my friends and family cheering out my name as I go by

10) Having the finish shoot in sight

11) Crossing the finish line and hearing them say “Kathi Best – you are an Ironman”

12) Seeing the Emotion and Pride in my husbands face when he finds me after I finish

13) Completing a 3 year journey with a successful Dream Come True

14) Couldn’t help myself I had to add #14 because I wouldn’t be authentic if I didn’t admit that I look forward to actually passing guys along the race course, it does give me a boost of energy

What will I do?

13 things I need to figure out before June 24th @ 7am

1) What I will be wearing for the race?

2) Will I change clothes for the run?

3) Will I change shoes half way through the marathon?

4) Will I wear socks on the bike?

5) How many spare tubes and CO2 cartridges will I pack?

6) Where will I line up for the swim?

7) What time will I get up the morning of the race?

8) Which goggles will I wear?

9) Which sunglasses will I wear for the bike?

10) Will I wear sun glasses or a visor for the run?

11) When will I pack all my stuff?

12) What time do I want to arrive the morning of the race?

13) How will I do my hair, ponytail, bun, braid?

Thursday Thirteen~Posted on Friday

13 Things that I have learned about “myself” or “life” or “people” during my journey to Ironman that have changed my life and made it much more “rich & fulfilling” to live and I wouldn’t give up the opportunity to learn these things for the world!

1) I am stronger than I could ever imagine-even in my weakest moments

2) People who truly love me will always be there for me, anytime or anywhere-even if it is not convenient for their lives and they will be happy for me when I change and grow

3) I am not too old to learn and grow and benefit from the changes that makes in my life

4) With support and determination I can overcome monumental fears & obstacles

5) I can ask for help or admit a weakness and not be paralyzed by an overwhelming feeling of failure, not that it is easy for me, but I now know it is something that I am capable of if I choose to

6) It is a choice to be paralyzed by fear, and if I choose to face a fear I have the inner strength and external support system to guarantee me a successful journey not only through the fear but also at the other end of fear

7) The sport of Triathlon is one that can be a “Lifestyle” and I like how that “Lifestyle” looks and feels on me

8) It is okay to be out of balance for a time, I won’t fall apart and I will always come back to balance with a renewed respect and appreciation for when I have it in my life

9) I have an increase self-confidence that gives me incredible strength to be genuinely me

10) My True Friends and Family of Choice are happy for me when I grow, change or experience success in my world

11) I learned that for me determination and perseverance comes from a desire deep within my soul

12) I learned about my “sacrifice threshold” regarding how much and what I am and am not willing to sacrifice

13) The priorities in my life have been redefined and clarified over and over again but this journey has truly illuminate for me which ones are “no matter what” at the top of my list

Over the HUMP!!!!!

I am a survivor!!!!!!!

Well I survived and lived to tell about my last 20++ hour training week before my 1st Ironman race!

As I ponder the intense load and whirlwind of the past month, I can’t help be reminded of the children’s Nursery Rhyme “Humpty Dumpty”

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!

I feel like I have been on the top of this high wall all year!

On one side of the wall I can look down and see my crazy busy/life (before my Ironman goal) that was full of all kinds of activities and responsibilities that kept me running however most of it was nice cushy, comfortable, safe & secure activities.

And on the other side I see my crazy/busy life (after I signed up for Ironman) with all the origional activities and responsibilities but had acquired several levels of added difficulty and was packed full of challenges, facing fears, digging deep, searching for new forms of motivation all kinds of opportunities to stretch and grow in many areas that have taken me way outside my comfort zone!

There have been many times that my taskings for the day seeded too many to be accomplished and I found myself wishing that I could somehow fit 36 hours of stuff in my 24 hour day! No matter how organized and energetic I was I never managed to figure out how to do that and at times........I felt like I was about to fall off that wall!

But at every critical moment of percieving that I was about to loose my balance as I was wavering and wobbling side to side, I was able to either regain my balance by finding a new form of inner strength that allowed me to develop new muscles of motivation, courage and determination or I have been caught just in time, before I fell by a family member or friend who’s Timely Support, Encouragment, Words of Affirmation or Act of Service would put their arms around me, hold me tight and help me regain my balance so that I did not fall.

I have had many situations where I felt very vunerable, scared and fragile, and I felt as though I was metaphorically close to falling off the wall and breaking into many little pieces……….

But I didn’t

Thank you to all of you who have been there for me in many times of need to be my support, my encouragement, my safety net and my loving reassurance that I was capable and worthy of continuing this journey!

You know who you are,

P.S. I LOVE YOU ALL