Over the past two years, I have really gotten to know so many new friends either through training, Facebook, events, etc. I could not believe how many of them showed up back in my life immediately prior to IMTX including Edward Raudez, Dave Shaw, Carlos Suarez, Brandon Pounds, Jeff Farmer, Justin from Bicycle World, Sylvia Escobedo, Aaron & Rebekah Palaian, Chad Cook, Sabrina Haun, Bill & Gabrielle Baumeyer, and many many more that I just can't remember right now. I am sorry if I did not mention you by name and we had some interaction. In reality, the whole weekend is still somewhat a blur to me, and it is coming back to me in bits and pieces.
The one that stood out the most was Lillian Sockwell. I first met Lillian at a HRTC meeting a few months ago and we interacted on Facebook, but I could not believe how much she was going to be in my life this weekend. Lillian was there to check me in on Wednesday, then she was there at the body marking before the swim, and finally she was there there as one of those catching me at the finish line. To have a familiar face like that show up in so many place will be branded in my mind forever. Of course after further interaction with her on Facebook, I realized that she may be branded in more than just my memories of becoming an Ironman, but many, according to her arm notes. Top it all off, she is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and her smile is infectious. Thanks Lillian for helping me through the whole weekend. Hopefully I can do the same for you next year.
As I came through the canal just yards from the swim exit, I wanted to make sure that that I got close to the family and friends that made it out to the Ironman Texas. This was really the first time that they were ever able to see me up close while swimming. Usually they just see me take off and wait till I come out of the water. Sometimes they would catch me as I came out of the water, but other times they didn't. I saw Todd, Shawn's Anomaly Volunteer Coordinator, and I yelled out to him while I was swimming. He heard me and started gathering up everyone to come out to the dock. I finally saw Veronica (Shawn's Anomaly Associate Director), my mom, Todd, and my beautiful wife with our camera. I was so proud of her that she grabbed the camera, but then I realized that the lens cap was on. This should not show any reflection on Rachel or her ability to use a camera. I have done this several times in my life too, so I knew I should try to tell her. As I was breathing, I decided to yell, "RACHEL", stroke, "THE LEN'S CAP IS ON", stroke, "RACHEL", stroke, "I LOVE YOU!" She took the cap off, and took some pretty amazing shots. Let's hope she does not make me sleep on the couch for telling you that story.There were people that God sent my way during the bike portion of the race, and I wish, I knew them better. If you have come here to see this blog and you can verify who these people are, I would greatly appreciate you getting us in contact with each other. First person came to me in the transition tent. I was taking out all my gear when I noticed that I did not have my socks. I could not believe it. I was mortified because I new that I would be going a good 60 miles or so before I would have another pair available. It was really the only mistake I made in my gear bags. Fortunately, while I was talking to a fellow competitor about my situation, he yelled out, "Does anyone have an extra pair of socks!?!" Suddenly, #828 (I think) threw me a pair. I was so grateful, and I would love to show you my appreciation now that the race is done. Second was the unnamed angel that may or may have not been an athlete in the race. You were somewhere around mile 100 on the bike. I was spent, and I was 99% sure that I was not going to be able to finish. All of a sudden you look up, you saw me, and said, "Shawn is waiting for you at the finish!" That is all the motivation that I needed to not only finish the bike, but take it one step at a time on the run. Who were you? How did you know me, our story? Either way, you will definitely be my 2 angels of the bike.
At the run aid station 4 on my second loop, I was walking with my new friend Andrew Reina (coincidentally the brother of Michael Reina of Texas Children's Hospital who posted our story on their blog on Thursday). I saw another familiar face whom I had gotten to know in the past few months with OnUrMark: Shauna Hall. Until that time, I was struggling, a lot, and you could tell she was too as she was stretching on the trash can. We had seen each other on the bike a little, but we did not have much time to converse till now. This timing was perfect, however, for both of us. We both needed support, and we found it in each other. We decided that we were going to finish this run (or walk) together, and nothing was going to stop us from becoming an Ironman that day. She pushed me, and I pushed her, but when it was time to rest and walk at a fast pace, we felt it together. It was amazing! Just thinking about it right now is making me tear up. My wife was relieved that we had found each other and I am sure her support team felt the same way. Shauna, together, we became an IRONMAN, and I would not have wanted it any other way. Thanks!
Finally, it was time for the chute. Shauna and I had already decided that she was going to go first, and I would follow up behind her so we could both enjoy the moment. I had everything planned out in my head on what I wanted to do. I was going to high five as many people as I could through the shoot, pump up the crowd as I always do, stop and kiss my wife and son by the stage, and run through the finish. All of that ended in a completely different way. As soon as I made it to the shoot, a rush of memories entered my head. I remembered all of the 14 previous finishes that I had completed in the last 2 years of smaller races or "just marathons", I started to see all the struggles and fights that Rachel and I had while I we were trying to find life balance with training, I remembered that I quit smoking to finish this race; and I remembered...Shawn's 3 Surgeries...and why I was doing this. I threw my hands up in the air, and I prayed my thankfulness to a God that obviously loves and has blessed us in an overflowing way.It all hit me at once, and I could not contain my tears. What happened next? I will let you see for yourself as captured by my good friend, Gabrielle Baumeyer:
Thank you Mike Reilly (Voice Of Ironman) for making my finish as unique as our son's anomaly, and thank you again Gabrielle for capturing that moment!
I am proud to say, "I AM SHAWN'S IRONMAN"!
Now let's get to Kona...
