001. Makes everything else seem so SHORT.
002. The 3 week taper before the race.
003. The 4 week recovery after the race.
004. To reach down and find strength you never knew was there.
005. As much bread/pasta/carbs as you can eat.
002. The 3 week taper before the race.
003. The 4 week recovery after the race.
004. To reach down and find strength you never knew was there.
005. As much bread/pasta/carbs as you can eat.
006. To find out who you really are.
007. Beats watching the new Survivor, Big Brother, or anything else on TV.
008. For all the times you heard someone say "I'd do one of those ... I just can't swim."
009. Early mornings to watch the sunrise over Bondi.
010. Because I've told everyone I one day will be an Ironman.
011. Mike Reilly's hoarse voice still bringing people home at 11:30pm
012. The Massage Tent - anywhere.
013. Our family waiting for us at the finish line
014. For the ones that believed
015. ...and the ones that didn't.
016. Chalk on the road.
017. Easy rides and runs the week before.
018. Finishing your last workout and smiling because you know "I'm SO ready."
007. Beats watching the new Survivor, Big Brother, or anything else on TV.
008. For all the times you heard someone say "I'd do one of those ... I just can't swim."
009. Early mornings to watch the sunrise over Bondi.
010. Because I've told everyone I one day will be an Ironman.
011. Mike Reilly's hoarse voice still bringing people home at 11:30pm
012. The Massage Tent - anywhere.
013. Our family waiting for us at the finish line
014. For the ones that believed
015. ...and the ones that didn't.
016. Chalk on the road.
017. Easy rides and runs the week before.
018. Finishing your last workout and smiling because you know "I'm SO ready."
019. For everyone who has ever asked you "Why?"
020. To make up for all the school carnivals you missed
021. To run whilst watching the beautiful sunset over Brighton SA
022. You want to test the endurance limits of the iPod music collection in your head.
023. Creating your own, "Amazing Race"
024. Spectators looking up your name and cheering as you plod past at sunset.
025. Where else can someone ripping off your clothes in public be considered a benefit ? (Wetsuit Strip)
026. The famous post race “Beer Mile”
027. See the world and eat the food in each country, guilt free.
028. So you can answer "One." When people ask "How many days does that take?"
029. To wave at the scuba divers.
030. To backstroke and wave at the TV helicopter.
031. Encouraging Cards in your special needs bags.
032. Encouraging Cards in your T1 and T2 bags.
033. To really look forward to simple things like frozen cokes
020. To make up for all the school carnivals you missed
021. To run whilst watching the beautiful sunset over Brighton SA
022. You want to test the endurance limits of the iPod music collection in your head.
023. Creating your own, "Amazing Race"
024. Spectators looking up your name and cheering as you plod past at sunset.
025. Where else can someone ripping off your clothes in public be considered a benefit ? (Wetsuit Strip)
026. The famous post race “Beer Mile”
027. See the world and eat the food in each country, guilt free.
028. So you can answer "One." When people ask "How many days does that take?"
029. To wave at the scuba divers.
030. To backstroke and wave at the TV helicopter.
031. Encouraging Cards in your special needs bags.
032. Encouraging Cards in your T1 and T2 bags.
033. To really look forward to simple things like frozen cokes
034. Flat coke on the course
035. To one day show your child what he or she can do...and at an earlier age than you.
036. Because we sooo love to get up at 430 am…not
037. One step further to your dream.
038. Because I gave up beer (Brett) and Baileys (Simi) to do this!!!!!!!!
039. Driving the bike course in our rented car again and again the day before the race
040. Valet Parking and Catering ... all day long.
041. You might get on TV
042. To gain the confidence to do anything.
043. To have the confidence to say yes or to say no.
044. Takes as long as having a baby, nearly as satisfying, only without the morning sickness and the 21 years of bills that follow.
045. Flying with a bike case makes business trips seem EASY.
046. Sharing a smile with people wearing the finishers T-shirt the next day.
047. Knowing that as you step in the water on race day - YOU MADE IT THIS FAR! Now just get home.
048. How many people can say they did anything for 12,13, 14, 15, 16...hours?
049. Knowing that you are running the same race as really famous and super fit people
050. The wristband that somehow becomes your favourite fashion accessory.
051. So that when you tell your grandchildren stories about what you did when you were young...yours will be true.
052. Running along the lake in Taupo..hope it is flat
053. High fives from people you don't know.
054. The Sponge as a fashion statement
055. Because even when you are hurting, you can still run !
056. Knowing that after the gun goes off, you don't have to worry anymore. 057. First Place and Last Place get the same amount of cheers.
036. Because we sooo love to get up at 430 am…not
037. One step further to your dream.
038. Because I gave up beer (Brett) and Baileys (Simi) to do this!!!!!!!!
039. Driving the bike course in our rented car again and again the day before the race
040. Valet Parking and Catering ... all day long.
041. You might get on TV
042. To gain the confidence to do anything.
043. To have the confidence to say yes or to say no.
044. Takes as long as having a baby, nearly as satisfying, only without the morning sickness and the 21 years of bills that follow.
045. Flying with a bike case makes business trips seem EASY.
046. Sharing a smile with people wearing the finishers T-shirt the next day.
047. Knowing that as you step in the water on race day - YOU MADE IT THIS FAR! Now just get home.
048. How many people can say they did anything for 12,13, 14, 15, 16...hours?
049. Knowing that you are running the same race as really famous and super fit people
050. The wristband that somehow becomes your favourite fashion accessory.
051. So that when you tell your grandchildren stories about what you did when you were young...yours will be true.
052. Running along the lake in Taupo..hope it is flat
053. High fives from people you don't know.
054. The Sponge as a fashion statement
055. Because even when you are hurting, you can still run !
056. Knowing that after the gun goes off, you don't have to worry anymore. 057. First Place and Last Place get the same amount of cheers.
058. Walking to the start with friends...
059. Getting lapped on the bike by Michelle Jones and Craig Alexander
060. Getting lapped again on the run by Michelle Jones and Craig Alexander,
061. Making the turn for home
062. So that 7am on a Sunday seems like a delightful sleep in
063. To justify wearing lycra
064. It is the only time when men can officially have less hair than women…
065. To know that as long as you look good, it doesn’t matter that you are slow.
066. Did I mention eating a lot of food?
067. To justify visiting the Lorna Jane shop/bike store/Assos shop
068. Easier than Eco-Challenge.
069. Didn't play sports in high school.
070. Because everyone knows you are training and you can't stop now.
071. For all those 4:45am mornings, when you wished your head was still on the pillow.
072. For the goggle eyes post 3.8km swim.
073. You enjoy the smell of chlorine in the morning.
074. You've had enough with your current social life.
075. For the love of Macca’s Super Sundae
076. Your friends are watching on the web.
077. You need to prove to your mum that even if you get on the bike right after you swim...you won't catch a cold.
078. Because if Tony Abbott can…
079. Your work mates think you are nuts.
080. Masters swimmers really think you're nuts.
081. To know that 1 in 10 people in the city of Taupo
082. To see the Maori Warriors right before IM New Zealand
083. Monday morning swims... you feel like every Monday is the start of a new thing (even though it is not)
084. 3 hour breakfasts at Trio in Bondi after the morning swims
085. To fulfil a dream.
086. To say, "I am an Ironman".
087. Because we LOVE ordering new stuff over the internet and getting it delivered to work!!
088. Glow sticks on the run close to midnight
089. Silent hugs on the start line.
090. Because Winston Churchill said I can't ever give up.
091. The 12-step program to make me stop hasn't been invented yet.
092. Any National Anthem, before the start, anywhere.
093. Knowing that when you wake up at 4:00am, the next time you go to bed you will be VERY different person.
094. Because we LOVE our post workout PROTEIN shakes..
095. The whole ride of IM New Zealand
096. To check out the swimmer, biker and runner set up on the roundabout in the middle of the village of Reporoa
097. Makes your next marathon just a nice morning run.
098. To make your Boss jealous because YOU have a life that doesn't involve the office.
099. Because the longer you're out there, the less per hour it really costs!
100. Being there is way better than watching
101. Finding yourself in the middle of your doubts ... finding a new meaning of being scared.
102. Finding out that you're far stronger than those doubts a few miles later.
103. Falling in step on the run and making a friend to the end, without having to say a word.
104. A fried breakfast the day after with loads of bread.
105. Watching people headed home while you're headed out, thinking "I'll be there soon ..." and they cheer for you.
106. Understanding why that is as your cheering for people headed out when you're finally headed home.
107. That feeling of ice cubes in your hat on a hot run never getting too cold.
108. Telling folks with flat tires "It's a long day - hang in there!" and seeing them breathe and smile for a moment.
109. Hearing people cheer you up while your changing a damn flat tire.
110. Rolling into T2 knowing that no matter what - you can't have a flat sneaker from here on in.
111. Having someone catch you, and hold you up when you can't do it anymore.
112. Miles in the Bike.
113. Because pain is temporary and glory is forever.
114. To see if it really feels as good to do as it does to dream.
115. And then to see if it really feels as good the second time, and the third, and the fourth.... maybe
116. To learn the power of commitment and determination.
117. To swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo
118. To try and finish in daylight.
119. To try and finish before midnight.
120. To try and NOT get stung by that (*@! bee this time.
121. Your nieces/nephews already think you're a hero - prove them right.
122. Because we can.
123. An M-Dot Tattoo would look swanky on your ankle.
124. 5000 Volunteers - all for you.
125. Hearing them say "You're almost there!" all day long.
126. Being nearly almost there - for real.
127. Flat coke! (It's been awhile)
128. The finish line.
129. Because your training partners said you were a fighter
130. The first time you think "Holy crap - I'm doing an Ironman!"
131. Beating back the voices that say "Holy crap - you can't do an Ironman!"
132. Mile 26.
133. That moment when you KNOW you're going to make it for the first time all day.
134. Running down Tongariro and Redoubt St.
135. To enter the finish shute
136. THE FINISH LINE
137. The first step after you cross the line and think "Oh, My....God....!"
138. Hearing Mike Reilly say, " You are an Ironman!"
139. The Medal
139.6 Because they said I can't
140.6 Because we say we can.
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