Yesterday I was able to participate in my team's annual triathlon. I didn't race, rather I chose to watch from the sidelines and help out where I could. Directing traffic in & out of transition, I yelled instructions and cheered until I lost my voice. I watched athletes of all abilities go by; some flew, some found time to slap my high 5 as they went by... Most were out there having a good time on their way to a fast PR, while others clearly just wanted the entire Sprint distance over with (funny how these were not the fastest folks.... if it is that brutal, hurry up and get it over with, no?).
The morning spent yelling "it's only 5km, just RUN that way..." made me think about Timberman. Will I get off the bike telling myself "it's only 21.5km bitch, RUN...." ??? I damn well hope so! Knees forward, foot back, chop wood carry water.... RUN LIKE A MOTHER.......
Will I cross the finish line completely finished? I hope I do that too. Will I be ready for the next race? I hope I am, because there are a few to chose from...
I am a master of lists: I make a list every morning of the day's To Do. I make a list at the office of the same impossible expectations. I makes lists when packing, when going grocery shopping, mostly I make lists just to rip them up. It's not eco-friendly, but strangely, once I've written the list, I no longer need it.
Expect for one: one list has followed me for years. It started as a list of 10, and since grew to 15. No rips to the paper, perfectly hidden from Dylan's gripping hands, it's cherished like gold. It's my Bucket List of all the races I want to do before I turn 80 (or as long as it takes me to do them, and as long as it's all fun & games!) Timberman was tops on that list. It's about to get checked off.... hence, in the moments I allow myself the joy of a daydream I wonder, what's next?
I'm superstitious, therefore planning the next one until I cross the finish line in NH is not really my style...but with races selling out in minutes... hmmm...
The top 10 of my list looks like this:
1) Timberman 70.3
2) Wildflower
3) Nautica New York City Triathlon
4) Paris Marathon
5) Challenge Roth (IM distance)
6) Rev 3 Cedar Point (Half distance)
7) Rohto 70.3 Hawaii
8) Hy-Vee Triathlon
9) Abu Dhabi Triathlon (Long course)
10) SSQ Quebec City (half marathon)
The list goes to 15.... in no particular order, they are all just experiences I want to live. 1 race I have already done, 1 is about to get done, (knock on wood) and for the remaining 13- I can only pray I am healthy enough to conquer them before the big 80.
So, what's next???? I guess I'll know when I cross the finish line in 13 days.... after all, I'll have 70.3 miles to think it over.... ;0)