Final Thoughts

Transcendent.

That's what it was like. Transcendent is best word I can think of to describe my Ironman experience.

Since finishing the race, people have expressed their congratulations and awe of my accomplishment. Although I am grateful for their words, I am somehow less impressed.

To me, what was awe inspiring was racing alongside the 30 blind athletes, the double and single amputee athletes and the paraplegic athlete - all who got in the water with me and 2200 other athletes to take on the 140.6 mile challenge. Those are the people who inspire me and deserve the accolades.

Finishing Ironman hasn't seemed to change my self-image. I still see myself as the same guy. That said, I do feel a sense of groundedness. As if I've passed through a rite of passage. Finishing Ironman has validated my belief I am mentally and spiritually strong and I can do whatever I dare if only I prepare properly, work smart/hard enough and make the appropriate sacrifices. Of course, a little luck helps too.

Looking back over the race and the last six months of training, I can say without a doubt a few things that made all the difference for me on June 22.

First of all, it was critical to arrive to the start line on race day injury free with a great attitude. So, while training, I was deliberate about reducing stress in my life, getting proper rest and nutrition whenever possible. Also, listening to my body when it was telling me to rest and not train on a given day. Simply put, recovery is vital to avoiding burnout and injury. This made all the difference in arriving to Coeur d'Alene happy, healthy and ready to race.

Secondly, and just as critical, racing that day with a sense of gratitude and purpose was key. I'm not sure if there's a God, but all day I kept giving thanks, saying within myself "Thank you. Thank you for the health and able body to participate. Thank you for my loving family and their support. Thank for the opportunity to do Ironman!" Additionally, I took every opportunity to thank as many of the 3000 volunteers I could for their great support. They were amazing and I couldn't have don't it with them.

As for racing with purpose, I decided that if I finished I would to give my Ironman medal to my Dad. He and my Mom would be there at the finish line, so I became consumed with the vision of placing the medal around his neck.

You see, he's the real Ironman in our family - physically, mentally and spiritually. For over 30 years, he worked so hard for a company he hated, just to support his family. He always drove a used truck and never bought a new one, so his family could have nicer things. He was the guy people counted on in tough times. If there was a death in the family or someone had it tough, he was the emotional rock people leaned on. As a kid growing up playing sports, he was at every team practice, every game I ever played. I wasn't even a good athlete, but he was there at every sporting event. Always supportive, cheering me on. So, for all of these reasons and more, I was consumed with the idea of finishing for him. To give him the medal.

This sense of purpose drove me. It consumed my mind during the race. So, after 14 hours and 39 minutes, I crossed the finished line and was deemed an "Ironman" for which they gave me a medal. My parents were right there and I don't think I've ever seen them more proud of me than at that very moment. So, it was with great pleasure I took off my Ironman medal and placed it around my Dad's neck saying, "Happy Father's Day. You're the real Ironman in our family." That moment meant more to me than the medal ever could.

I think the moral of the story is that Ironman is about so much more than Ironman. The whole experience transformed me in ways I never anticipated. It taught me things and I have grown in ways I don't even fully understand yet.

Do I FEEL different? Not really. But, I don't think Ironman is about FEELING. It's about something much deeper and fundamental than emotion. It's ultimately about the power of the mind and spirit to lift people up and carry them 140.6 miles, if only they decide to accept the challenge and train their body so it is capable of accepting what the mind and spirit can ultimately do.

Ironman allowed me to discover things about myself I wouldn't have otherwise. Ironman provided me with the opportunity to access dormant abilities and prove myself -- to myself. Ironman also helped me realize that to achieve life's best, it takes a village. That we can't do it alone. Or, at least, not as well.

So, with that in mind...

Thank you to my wife and family for all of your love and support during the last six months. Thank you to George and Linda Rohlinger for being such great friends and making my Ironman experience extra special. Thank you Jim Parel for your friendship and support during my "first" Ironman journey. Thank you to my boss, Debbie Cantu, and colleagues at Kaiser Permanente, Michelle Silbar, Patricia Gin, Kristin Juel, Nancy Lockhart, Rose Villena, Pete Moon and Kara Stark, for your understanding and support. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Kaiser Permanente medicine and my Kaiser Permanente physician, Dr. Pizano, who helped keep my healthy and injury free.

It is clear to me I could not have done Ironman without the support of the people mentioned above. Certainly, my experience would have been less enjoyable. All of you helped me "Thrive to Ironman!"

Thank you.

Crossing the finish line...