Monday 7 July 2008

Kona -the truth is out there...

Kona waits for no man, you're either in or you're out and we've trained hard, really hard in a bid to see how close we can get to the enigma that is The Hawaii Ironman Championships. We both knew while we out there on the run that Hawaii was almost certainly slipping from our grip as we dug into the murky depths of ourselves to keep going. What I'm really proud of (in both of us) is that never once did it cross either of our minds to break when the going got tough and in Ironman there are people dropping like flies all around you, stopping, stretching, sitting, puking, walking, pulling out. Not once did we ever think about that even though we hurt like we'd never hurt before and we knew (seperately) that getting to Hawaii would have to wait... yesterday just wasn't our time.

Today we're both exhausted both mentally and physically. All around Frankfurt there are people wandering around with broken bodies but huge smiles. The sense of achievement when you dig deep, when the demons are telling you it's okay to stop and all you want is for the pain to be over, it's huge, I can't possibly explain in words how that feels when you NEVER give in, that's achievement. And that's why not making it to Hawaii is not in anyway a disappointment. Of course it was our goal and our dream but that still hasn't gone. Yesterday we both stepped up to the plate ready to take it on the chin and on July 6th 2008 we weren't good enough. We are good enough to get there one day though and it's this belief that will see us through.

We went to the awards ceremony this morning to see those people who made their dreams reality, the buzz and tension in the room when people's names are called out to see if they want to take their slot is electric, especially when someone either turns it down or just hasn't turned up (you have to be there in person to accept a Kona slot) because then if the slot isn't accepted it rolls down to the next person. The whoops, cheers and whistles when someone takes their slot gives me goose bumps, you know they worked hard for that and they deserve it 100% yesterday was their day and one day we'll have ours, just watch this space...

H & T. x

P.s I'd just like to say that the messages we've had both on the blog, facebook and by text have just been brilliant, you've all been a huge part of our journey, thank you.

Night night from two very tired Ironmen...

7 comments:

Jevon said...

Boy oh boy do you guys deserve a rest... can't wait to see you and hear all about it on Thursday... looking forward to having you 'with' me at Ironman Austria...
J.

Anonymous said...

I too am a random person that have never meet you but have followed your journey every Monday morning ( with my coffee!!!!) and this weekend. You both have been an inspiration and when my trainng efforts fell off the pace during the week - on a Monday you put me back on track without even knowing!! Congrats on an awesome 50 weeks and race and I can't wait for the next set!

Anonymous said...

Well done both of you. Once again truly inspirational racing. I know how great it can feel just finishing when the wheels fall off, and they do properly fall off in Ironman. It takes everything not to just lay down and hope the pain goes away but that inner strength keeps you going teaching there are new levels of hurt - a place you can reach to on a good day. I was proud to be able to watch you both race. It was superb seeing you give everything despite things not going to plan. Sometimes everything is not enough but on rare occasions it will produce a magic day. You have to remember though every tough day is a race closer to the special one. It’s never just about the destination. The journey is what shapes us and makes us. Besides we all know qualifying in Lanza is the real deal ;-). Well done both of you. We are so proud and loved every second of the 50 weeks to Kona - all the way to the finish line. Enjoy a wonderful holiday in Austria and give Pablo all the Iron love he deserves. Gutted not to be there.
Ozzer

lord_lordy said...

Just be patient and keep putting in the work you have been and you'll get that slot.
Great to meet up with you guys in Germany. Jo and I are signed up for Lanza next year as well - gonna be a blast.

lord_lordy said...

Just be patient and keep putting in the work you have been and you'll get that slot.
Great to meet up with you guys in Germany. Jo and I are signed up for Lanza next year as well - gonna be a blast.

lord_lordy said...

Just be patient and keep putting in the work you have been and you'll get that slot.
Great to meet up with you guys in Germany. Jo and I are signed up for Lanza next year as well - gonna be a blast.

lord_lordy said...

Just be patient and keep putting in the work you have been and you'll get that slot.
Great to meet up with you guys in Germany. Jo and I are signed up for Lanza next year as well - gonna be a blast.