3 Seconds of Fame

I know I posted this same sentiment after Vineman, but I am really humbled by all the messages and emails I've been receiving about what I accomplished ~10 days ago.  The mind is a very strange organism.  It tells you that you can't do something.  And then when you do it, it tells you that it wasn't a big deal.  Because you did it.  Because somewhere along the way, the goal became achievable.  I really wish I could get my perspective back about what happened last week.  Last year, I was so emotional watching these athletes persevere at IMC and IMAZ.  And yet here I am, having been out there on that course for all 17 of the 17 hours, thinking, "Yeah that run wasn't very fun, but it wasn't the hardest thing I've done in my life."  (I'm going to guess the 102 mile ride around Clear Lake takes the cake on that one).  


My decision to participate in Ironman was an intrinsic one -- to prove to myself that I could make sacrifices; I could surpass my personal limitations; I could be courageous; I could fight.  I won't be getting a tattoo or be putting a decal on my car (although I admit I did buy three articles of clothing that say Finisher on them).  


The official video was published yesterday and this monologue pretty much sums up my experience:


"You have these goals that seem crazy at a point in time.  You think, 'How am I ever going to do this?  How am I ever going to overcome this?'  And, you just gotta put one foot in front of the other and just keep that going over and over.  And before you know it, you're at the finish line."


PS:  I made it in the video for about 3 seconds around 5:20.