One year M-dot anniversary

Wow. Today is my one year anniversary since earning my place in the Ironman crowd. It feels like it was either 10 years ago or just a few months ago. I still have moments running through my head, recapping all the highs and lows I encountered along the way. It is a bummer I'll never get the exact same excitement but I know each one I'm able to finish will eventually mean the same to me.

But the biggest replay in my head is seeing my family at various spots on the course, and seeing my name in chalk on the bike and run courses. It still gives me goosebumps knowing my family is so awesome enough to withstand spectating for 15+ hours due to unknown circumstances just to see me accomplish the biggest thing in my athletic "career" so far.

Without them, and without the one lone guy on the bridge before my last lap as the sun was setting saying "Today you are an Ironman" (yes, I still get chills), I don't know that I would have ever made it. I can only entertain myself for so long, and every loop they gave me some hope and little shove to keep moving.

And for that, I want to say THANK YOU!

Here's to IM New Zealand or IM Australia 2009. If anyone has any recommendations on which to do, I'd love to hear them. (I used to live in Sydney and would love to race there, but never been to NZ although the race weather there always seems iffy.)