Photo Race Report

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I'm an IRONMAN

"Vincent Wiltse of Arlington Heights, Illinois, you are an IRONMAN!"

It was a long, hot, tiring day. But the only thing that really matters to me at this point is that I made it. To hear those words that I've been dreaming of for the better part of two years was music to my ears.

Packing Day (packing week actually)

This may be my last pre-race post, so a quick thank you is in order to all those whose advice I've sought and stories I've followed. I hope to see many of you in Madison.

Today wraps up my packing. I have the small mountain of stuff that I've gone through many times waiting to put into some form of order for the trip. Of course it will all be promptly unpacked as soon as I get there --- just to make sure all is well and that I didn't forget anything essential. Yes, I will remember to bring Stealth.

Madison bound!

Pep Talk of All Pep Talks

In the days leading up to a big race, I make it a habit of rereading what I consider the pep talk of all talks. Of course, I'm not about to do battle, or fighting for God, King, or Country. But the notion that all of the competitors (pro, elite, age grouper) must overcome the same course is something that I take comfort in. Furthermore, it creates a camaraderie not understood by those who do not step up to the starting line.

The Talk:

St. Crispen's Day Speech
Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3

William Shakespeare, 1599

Enter the KING

WESTMORELAND:
O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!

KING:
What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

The YouTube Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDZVxbrW7Ow

Single Digits

The countdown continues -- now down to the single digits.

Congratulations to Rural Girl on her near Kona qualifying race in Louisville last Sunday. (I still have hope for you that one of the ladies ahead of you will drop her spot and you go to Kona.)

Congratulations to Rachel on her inspiring effort and finish at IM Canada. Your race report is one of the best I've read. Split times, average Watts, or calories consumed per hour is great training data. But why we race, why we put ourselves and our families through the months and months of long training days, is really what this journey is about. I forwarded your race report to Heidi; she says she sobbed for at least twenty minutes.

As Heidi and I have had our struggles this summer over the training time, kid time, work time, gear expenses, race fees, etc., we had lost sight of the "why" factor. So as I wind down my training, my focus this week is "Why?" I'm not the fastest. Unless I grow turbo legs in the next week, I'm most likely not going to qualify for Kona. So, why do I do it? Race adrenaline junky? Probably. But mostly to prove to myself that I can; those immortal Ironman words -- "I can". I do this to see Heidi at the end of the finish chute. I do this so I can call Cole and Abby sometime next Sunday evening to tell them that their Dad is an Ironman and that they can reach any goal they want for themselves if they want it bad enough and work hard enough for it.