Last week was a little fuzzy. Every post-race week is, and last week felt just like any other post- race week. My legs felt pretty good right away, but my body overall was slogged down with fatigue after months of preparation for completing an iron(WO)man as an athlete, race director, and fundraiser. Miraculously, by Thursday morning I started to feel normal, (and am feeling better every day), but I am still not quite 100%. That kind of effort leaves a physical and emotional impression, although I am pleased to report I am emerging from the post-race haze steadier than ever before.
Near the end of the race last Sunday, just before sunset, running with Hillary and my brother, Peter. Photo courtesy of Genn Geiger.
I think what I gained most from my DIY iron(WO)man race experience is that I didn’t need the parameters of an official race for it to feel every bit as special, stressful, challenging, and glorious as any other race I’ve competed in. The reasoning behind that is a mix of years of experience racing, (I had a lot to compare it to), accomplishing some nifty milestones along the way, (I am not saving my fitness for a Boston Qualifier event, or an attempt to qualify for Kona), and most of all knowing what truly matters to me is the opportunity to push my body and mind in training for months in order to be able to push my limits during a competition.
In essence, I don’t need a “race” to race, because I am only ever truly competing against myself.
If anyone else shows up, that's a bonus.
Of course, this race had a whole other dimension to it that made me rethink how I want to focus my energy toward competing in the future. Instead of spending over $2,000 for a typical Ironman event, I raised $10,450 (and counting), for the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research, a feat that is nothing short of overwhelming, and illustrates a fascinating paradox, it felt better to raise money than spend money.
That said, I will continue to race branded events when they return in earnest after COVID, but more so for the community aspect they provide vs. personal self-interest. I still want to improve my fitness and compete to the best of my ability, but I don't need a finishing medal to make me feel like an athlete. I have felt that way for a while, ever since I rode 180 miles on the longest day of the year with my friend and teammate, Heidi. However, it was creating, training for, and racing my own DIY event that finally broke me free from the heavy chains of traditional thinking and debilitating expectations that weighed me down for decades. Today I feel light, liberated, and inspired for “what’s next?”
I pinned the beads on my race shorts since I would be wearing them for *most* of the race. (Except the swim).
In addition to racing for the MJFF last week, I also had the honor of taking part in a program called, Beads of Courage, that my friend and athlete, Laurel, invited me to take part in. The program provides a way for children coping with serious illness to not feel alone in their fight for life. The set up is to bring two beads along on your adventure, (as if both the athlete and child are in the challenge together), and after the event the athlete mails one of the beads to the child along with a synopsis of the race.
Those two beads were more powerful than all six Infinity stones.
I kept one bead, and mailed the other to a wonderful child who I hope feels the positive and enduring vibes I charged it with all day.
I can’t imagine what those children battle on a daily basis, but I certainly felt their strength and courage lift me through the harrowing winds to cross the finish line sooner and happier than I hoped for.
Happy athlete to be done before sundown.
On a related note, if you are curious to learn about the nitty-gritty of my training and race-day tactics for my DIY Iron(WO)man, I shared all about it in the recent edition of the Smashfest Diaries HERE:
Also, I am beyond grateful for all of the donations thus far to the MJFF for my DIY Iron(WO)man, but if you, or anyone you know is still inspired to DONATE, my page will be open and active until 12/31/20.
Before I reveal the song and video choice this week, I want to tease a movie project I am working on NOW, (that will *hopefully* be released this Thursday), of my friends and teammates conquering the legendary Backbone trail last Saturday in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was a thrill to capture *most* of the daylight hours of their amazing adventure and to witness their heroics in person, so keep an eye out for that release later this week.
From screen left, Amy Berkin-Chavez, Lynne Fiedler, Jess Zaiss, and Patricia Lorenzi.
Biscay Coaching's Hillary Biscay and Mary Knott stepped in to help pace and SAG all day.
I also plan to make a movie about my DIY Iron(WO)man event, Taryn's Iron Journey From The Valley To The Sea, but I still need some space to process all of it before I can approach crafting the story from a filmmaker’s POV. #staytuned
Finally, the song and video choice this week is a new uplifting tune from the fantastic band, Judah and the Lion, Beautiful Anyway.