Oceanside 70.3 - Because why not me?!
My goal for my first Ironman 70.3 was to finish the race. No time expectations, just cross the finish line. I even accepted that if I “failed” I was not a failure. Even if I didn’t make the cut-off, the days and days and months and months of training - that was the real race. Some days I felt great, some days I built character, but the real victory was found in how I rose up after the hardest days. I love the quote by an unknown author that said, “The most powerful transformation happened not in the moments of victory but in the quiet spaces between struggle and success.”
It has been a grueling, emotional, painful, but beautiful journey. I’ve cried so many times I’ve lost count. I’ve questioned if I really was built for this. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that my mindset is the most powerful tool I own. When I chose to see challenges as opportunities, setbacks as lessons, and failures as stepping stones, I discovered a strength that has carried me through. Had I quit, I would have never gotten to experience something undeniably life-changing.
Richard G. Scott said, “…to get from where you are to where He (God) wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.” My Ironman 70.3 journey has been a lot of stretching - physically demanding, mentally transformative, and spiritually refining. The theme of any Ironman event is “anything is possible.” I am proof that anything is possible!
J. Ty Hopkins said, “endurance requires work- hard work. There is no substitution…effort and work are the stimuli that trigger a series of events that lead to positive adaptations in strength, endurance, and power.” I don’t think I’ve ever worked harder for anything in my life. Over and over again, I stayed disciplined and consistent and worked hard for my goal.
I’ve learned priceless lessons but maybe more than all - don’t skip the struggle. That has been the most valuable part of my journey where all the character, resilience, grit, and confidence have been built. Like a piece of coal that becomes a diamond, with intense pressure, beauty emerges from pressure, time, and pain.
One of the most powerful lessons that I’ve learned is to choose to be happy in the journey, to be present in the process. My focus shifted from how far I still needed to go to being happy in the moment. Endurance became the process of learning and growing that led to refinement and growth that helped shape me - all of the positive and negative experiences ultimately led me to the finish line with more joy.
In 7 hours and 59 minutes, I finished the goal. The ocean was cold but I was ready. The bike course was hard and hilly, but I conquered. The run was painful as my body was shutting down with leg cramps and back spasms. As I crossed the finish line, the tears flowed freely. I did it. I kept going. I conquered. I am completely astonished by the power of the human spirit. The combined gift of the body, mind, and spirit gave me the capacity to do unbelievable things! I am grateful beyond what words can adequately express to friends, teammates, family, and the Lord for being with me throughout this journey.
“I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
~ Monica