The finish is important, but not nearly as the courage to start!
I remember back in October of last year Bob and his friends were toying with the idea of doing the half Ironman here in Boise in June. I didn't think he really would. We had run a few half marathons together at that point, and they were tough enough. He had done a few Olympic triathlons, but nothing of this magnitude.
To my surprise he really signed up, joined a tri-group, took swim lessons, and biked and ran his tail off, for 6, long months. His training was grueling, but along side his buddies, Brent and Sam, he did it. We often talked about the race in June. I was nervous for him. Thinking of the race made my stomach turn. I didn't know how he would do it. After his workouts he still doubted and wondered how he could really finish it too.
Two weekends ago he and his good buddies swam, biked, and ran hard. They accomplished their goals of finishing around 6 hours. Robert and his friend Sam who started in the same heat, even crossed the finish line together. It was remarkable. I can't tell ya how proud I was of Bob at that moment. As he and Sam approached us at the finish, they were smiling and looking spry. Later Bob said they felt like dying, but that didn't matter. They looked great. They did it! They set big goals and worked hard to achieve something they didn't think they could do. That takes courage. I hope his example rubs off on our kids. I know they had so much fun making posters, wearing their shirts, and cheering for their dad, but I also hope his goal setting and desire to achieve big things will be something they will feel they can do someday too, whatever those dreams are.
I wish I had more pics. of Bob on the course. We couldn't get up to the swim due to road closures. I never get a snapshot of him racing on his bike. He blows by so quickly, and when I finally pick him out of the crowd, I am not taking a picture. I am screaming loud, hoot hollering and making a fool of myself. I don't care, as long as he hears me and feels the love! We barely missed him on the run. I was sad about that. I wanted him to see the kids, in their shirts, cheering loud for their dad on his last leg of his big race. But, we did see him at the end, and that's all that matters. We were excited. The kids ran towards him hugging and embracing their Ironman dad and letting him know.........
HE INSPIRES US!
