The first time I heard the announcer boom out ” You Are An Ironman”, tears rolled down my cheeks! To each and every person as they crossed the finish line after the grueling race, those words” You Are An Ironman”, wafted through the air, amongst the thundering cheers of the crowds, who were cheering for loved ones and strangers alike as these mere mortals finished this mindbogglingly difficult race. Each of them took on the challenge of swimming, 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and then running a Marathon 26 miles 385 yards. I know incredible to even think of, isn’t it? The finishing times ranged from just under 8 hours to just under 17 hours. Think about that, swimming, biking, running for that long. As marathoners ourselves, my husband and I are in awe of such a feat.
We spent the day happily as spectators, cheering loudly, ringing our cowbells, for all who passed. The front runners were professional athletes, there were people celebrating special birthdays, honoring loved ones, battling addictions, each athlete with a story, each one battling fatigue, fear and doubt all of the nearly 2700 participants demonstrating to themselves and to us, what it takes to hear those words “You Are An Ironman”.
As a great admirer and participant of sport, particularly endurance sports, I understand keenly the metaphor for life that an Event like the Ironman holds for each of us. How is it that we can run 26 miles 385 yards, or do the Ironman, or swim from New Brunswick to PEI? How is it that we can make it through the Storms of Life? Tomorrow will mark two years, since our son Robin died, after 17 years living with brain cancer. How did he do it? How did we do it? How do any of my clients, facing great challenges do it? How do they move through the storms, to the finish line?
What I know for sure is that in order to complete an endurance event or a challenging life event of any kind, we have to find a way to stay the course. It is like following the yellow line of a road. Imagine that if you wanted to reach your destination, you had to stay on the yellow line or you wouldn’t get there. Staying on the yellow lines means believing with all your might you will get there. Staying on the yellow line means having courage in the face of fear. Staying on the yellow line means putting one foot in front of the other, even when tired, scared and in doubt. That is how we finish a marathon, a swim, or the death of a loved one, we stay on our yellow line, no matter what.
I am sure that it comes as no surprise to those of you who know me and know my work, that I would spend my day cheering for Ironman athletes. Or that many, thousands of spectators and volunteers came out to support the athletes! It is because, each time we cheer for another, each time we offer support, each time a fellow human crosses the finish line, each time we hear the words “You Are An Ironman” it shows us that we too can be our own Ironman.
Dedicated To Robin Giddy ” You Are An Iron Man”
Susy Giddy is a Life Coach. One of her specialties is helping clients get through Life’s storms. She can be reached at susycabaretelifecoaching.com