I'm so in love with this sport. You'd think after two full years of training nonstop, I'd find some reason to hate it, but instead, I've only found more to love.
I love how it's an individual sport. Whatever work you yourself put in is what will show up on game day. There's no one else to blame but yourself. You have to take responsibility, and that's a trait many people are lacking in this world today. If I miss a bike ride because I wanted to watch a movie instead, that's on me. If I'm not having proper recovery because I'm being too social, that's my fault. I've made my choice in lifestyle, so I need to be responsible and make the sacrifices needed to produce success.
I love the community. Despite how individualistic the training and racing may be, triathlon is actually a team sport. From family to friends to training partners to competitors to volunteers to complete strangers, they all provide the support and encouragement that make athletes successful. The love that one can witness between compadres on the race course is touching. Good job. Keep it up. You're looking good. You'd never think simple phrases like those could stir something inside you, but they do. All an athlete needs sometimes is just a spark to relight their drive and to finish the 5k or Ironman marathon. On most competitive arenas, there's smash talk going on, but never during a triathlon have I ever heard a negative word. We are all positive toward each other and are striving toward the same goal -- to be better. Better athletes and better people.
Meredith Kessler pulls in fellow pro Leanda Cave for a hug right before the start of the 2013 Ironman World Championships
I love how the sky is the limit. There's absolutely no cap as to how far you can go. Your career or hobby of triathlon doesn't have to end because of age or life stages. If you put in the time and effort and are patient, the times will keep dropping. Don't give up. This is an endurance sport, both on and off the field. Even Natascha Badmann at age 45 had the fastest split of all the pro women at Ironman World Championships last year. Besides just decreasing race times, there's also the challenge of distance. Mastered the sprint distance? Aim for long course, 70.3, Ironman, or even the ultra Ironman. There are no limits.
I love the heart. In no other sport have I seen an athlete stumble, fall, and crash to the ground because her body gave up, but her determination and spirit didn't as she crawled the last few meters of the Ironman World Championship race to cross the finish line in second [Julie Moss, 1982]. The first place female passed her while she was crawling. This sight caused the already deafening crowd to roar with encouragement and inspired generations to come. The female participation count drastically increased the following year. Heart. Cannot live without it.
I love the dream. I want to make it to the big stage. I want to race the Ironman World Championships in Kona and give it my all. I want to inspire the thousands of spectators and future generations. I want to remind others that there is still so much light, hope, and love in this world and that you can do anything you set your mind to. Dream big and big things will happen. Anything is possible.
I spent 11am to 9pm watching the entire Ironman World Championship in Kona live online yesterday and never once did I lose interest. I didn't leave my room for lunch or dinner because I didn't want to miss anything. It was that good. I rooted for all my favorite pros and encouraged them through verbal shouting and social media. It was like I was there, minus the gorgeous Hawaiian backdrop and sea breeze.
This is by far my favorite picture of the day yesterday. You can feel the dream, joy, accomplishment, support, and love all in one moment.
Mirinda Carfrae, 2013 Ironman World Champion and her fiancé Tim O'Donnell.
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