The Week Before IMNZ

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It’s been a hectic time a tying up loose ends in the office before leaving for IMNZ.  So, what’s been happening in the leadup to this week?

Two weeks ago, I took a spill on my bike because I rode into a deep pothole, which wasn’t easily spotted on the road.  Thankfully, I walked away only with bruised palms, a bruised chin and superficial scratches on my chin and cheeks. My face swelled and took on shades of black and blue till I looked as if I got bashed up by my husband. Thankfully, my wounds healed within a week.  With the race this close, I can’t afford to be injured at this stage.

My fund raising event at work has been well-received.  I never thought that doing an Ironman would inspire my colleagues.  Its very heart warming to have many people give me words of encouragement, show concern for my well-being when I turned up at work with a swollen face and drop me emails and notes to spur me on.  Perhaps training for the Ironman has become such an integral part of my life, that I don’t see it as anything out of the ordinary (except that it’s a tough race).  Certainly, the training is tough and the going can get even tougher, and my colleagues have reminded me that the Ironman journey is a special one.   Its been a a privilege to be able to share my race experience with the people I work with, and an even bigger privilege to join hands to give back to a community that has given me a rich experience.

A massive earthquake hit Christchurch on 21 Feb 2011, just one week before we are due to leave for Auckland.  The earthquake left people dead, hundreds missing, power outage. and a state of emergency has been declared.  Although we’ll be arriving in Auckland and the race location at Lake Taupo has been unaffected by the quake, I feel a sense of loss and sadness for the people in New Zealand.  The race organisers have written to say that the race will carry on.

Only two days left to departure, and I’m gearing up for the race.  Are you?