Imagine running this race every October for more than 25 years!

As a former writer/journalist, I am drawn to words to describe big events, impending or past. Right now Ironman Canada is the biggest event looming in my life. Thus, I took pen in hand (OK, put fingers on keyboard) in an effort to capture what we will be experiencing at month’s end.

This morning my training consisted of a 26.2 mile long run. I trained with maybe a thousand-plus other runners. Someone was nice enough to cater the training run and recruit folks to hand out water and energy drink. They even marked many of the mile splits on the path.

The finish was incredible, even more so than last year. Many thousands of cheering spectators lined the course and, especially, the last three miles or so. Wow! What a rush to be an Ironman once more. I ran into the final section hands above my head cheering, high-fiving, and then did a leap through the tape.

Never fear, with planning, dedication, flexibility, a willingness to compete somewhat undertrained, and, most of all, a sense of humor, you can be a triathlete and even compete in an Ironman.

Ever have one of those days when things go right? I did.

Hooray! I’m continuing my many-year climb to the top of my age group (starting from last in my first race in 1991). Now if I can just out-live the competition…

IMC 1999 was an experience that changed us all. We will never forget it. I certainly won’t!