Monday, July 23, 2007

Ironman weekend

I just want to say thanks for all your support and encouragement.

This weekend has been a blur. I have pieces of what happen. I can say there is a number of times when I think about you guys.

I just got home about an hour ago.

There is a number of time I got really emotional. The course simply takes a lot out of me. Like:

i) From the beginning of the run, someone cheered, 'Go race 4 kids'. I thought about the children with cancer battling day in and out. That just took over me.

ii) Especially the last 2-3 miles (5 km) on the run. In Lake Placid, you do a quick turn around before you head back to the finish line. In that loop, it was dark and all I thought about was the past two years. I remembered clearly when my sis sat me down last year and told me, 'Cliff, I will support you.' Or the struggle getting up 5 am, walk 20 min to the pool and trying to swim. Or my family being there and putting up with my training.

I was holding back the tears...

Even thought I finished the Ironman, I still can't conceive the distance. 112 miles (or 180 km) bike plus a marathon (26.2 miles or 42 km) is simply too long. Heh, at the end I was running aid station to aid station. I want REAL food :P.

Heh...I can't say this is fun fun. It is DEFINITELY the most enjoyable experience I had. I will never give this up. I will take all the ups and downs. The highs and lows anytime.

Will post more along the week.

Once again, THANKS SO MUCH GUYS.

Cliff (not me) - were you the one who sent me a message on the board. It wrote 'Cliff said, spooky say moove it.' or something like that?

35 comments:

Rachel said...

Congrats! Your post was so moving. It's really making me look forward to my IM experience next spring. Especially the imagery of you finishing the run in the dark. It must have been so surreal. I love running in the dark...

Congrats again. You are awesome.

Brent Buckner said...

So glad you feel that what you're getting back is worth what you're putting in!

Recover well.

Nancy Toby said...

Congratulations, Cliff!! Well done!!!

JC said...

CONGRATULATIONS CLIFF!!!!
You are, as usual, my inspiration. Way to go!

Eric said...

Great job Cliff. Each time I saw you on the race course I cheered for you. That crazy guy you didn't know taking pictures in the middle of the road on the run course was me.

I met another Racing 4 Kids athlete, Deborah Powell, and cheered for each one I saw.

You should be very proud for all that you have done, completing Ironman in tough conditions and raising money 4 the kids. You are Ironman defined.

I'll send pictures when I get them sorted out.

Jessica said...

Congratulations Cliff! Thanks for being an inspiration to us all.

qcmier said...

Welcome to the fraternity.

You are an inspiration. Keep on rockin'

cdnhollywood said...

Awesome job! I was watching you through the day online, eagerly waiting for the site to be updated. You have helped me commit to an Ironman in the next 1-2 years, and I can't put into words how badly I want to experience what you endured.

You are an Ironman, a solid athlete, and an inspiration.

Now rest that shoulder! :)

jameson said...

congrats man... I am stoked for you!

Thomas said...

We're all proud of you, Cliff

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

Cliff,

Congratulations on your super accomplishment. What you did for Racing 4 Kids is nothing short of fantastic.

Stay tuned...

DV said...

way to go cliff!

momo said...

congratulations, cliff!! its way long, but you finished and you did AWESOME, iroman!

brendaj said...

Congratulations! It was fun (and inspirational) tracking your progress throughout the day.

TRI Vortex said...

Congrats Iron-Cliff! They say don't reveal yourself to the coarse. But I would imagen that its hard after 112 miles. You did "Good."

Remember: you don't have to say awsome, amazing, or fantabulous. God saw that it was good, said it was good, and it was good.

If "Good" is an adjective that God can use to describe something great, then so can we. You did Good.

Anonymous said...

Great job Cliff. Saw you on the run course as you were heading back to town. YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.

Hope you are feeling better than I am right now. Tough day on the course.

Edward S

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed following our journey Cliff. Congratulations. I'm sure there are still a lot of life lessons that will surface as you process this experience.

Comm's said...

Cliff you can put emotion into words. I welcome you to the ranks of Ironman, though not as well as Mike Reilly.

You did this through the spirit and strength of Jesus Christ who knows exactly what the distance was and was with you not just out there on the course but every step of the way.

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Cliff!

Mike said...

Congrats Cliff- well done!

Duane said...

Way to go Cliff!

Sixteen Chickens said...

Cliff! Way to go dude! I hope your race report includes BEER!

E-Speed said...

congrats Cliff! Glad you had such a great experience!

Dances with Corgis said...

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was awesome getting to see you at the water stop!! :) So psyched I got to meet you!

Great race, Cliff! The part where you talk about your sister supporting you brought a tear to my eye. I will be running in the dark as well at IMLOU.

Mike said...

Awesome race Cliff. All of Runningmania was tracking you, (along with the 4 other people from the site who were in the race).

Way to hold back and save it for the run!!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Congratulations, Cliff! Thanks for being such an inspiration to me and to the kids you raced for. You are an IRONMAN!!!!!!!!!

Born To Endure said...

You RAWK Cliff..it was such a pleasure meeting you and i'm glad you enjoyed your journey!

Donald said...

Fantastic job, Cliff. Congratulations!

tri-mama said...

Way to go Cliff! You trained, you prepared and now you are an Ironman!

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

Cliff,

We're lucky to have you here among us. Well done!!

Anonymous said...

Way to go!

AddictedToEndorphins said...

Cliff-The IRONMAN! Don't you love the sound of it! Congrats! Way to do us proud!

Michael said...

Congratulations and a great day!

Jenö said...

Congrats Cliff - great post and a great race. Those last few miles were pretty tough!! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! You did amazing. Loved the pictures!