Bottle the Energy

Ironman weekends are full of energy. There is the energy of Ironman Village. Thousands of people all there for the excitement of an Ironman race. There is the energy from the race itself. Thousands of athletes navigating their way from start to finish and thousands of spectators cheering them on. And there is the energy of the finish line, where athletes physically and emotionally wiped from the long race find the strength to break the tape, often carrying their kids with them.

For those in the race, that energy can carry them through difficult times on the course. And it can keep them awake long after an outsider would believe they should have passed out from exhaustion. For those watching, it can keep them awake until late in the night as they wait for the final time for those whom they are monitoring to be shown. It also generates excitement for registration for next year's race to open.

For some, though, the energy is anti-climactic. I know that because it is exactly that for me. The excitement is there. Many bloggers I have come to see as friends competed in Florida on Saturday, and they all did well. Many others whose blogs I read were there, as well. I am excited for their accomplishments. But there is still the anti-climactic part.

As they finish this part of their journey and bask in the glow of their accomplishment, I am still more than 290 days away from the start of IM Louisville. And I seriously doubt I will be able to sustain this energy for the next 9 months. It's sort of like the stores that are putting Christmas stuff out, already. I love the excitement of Christmas. But I can't carry it for 60 days. It's good for maybe 20 days.

The good news is that there is no need to invent a means to bottle the excitement of an Ironman race. There will be other races on other weekends. And, soon enough, it will be MY weekend and MY excitement. The best thing is that there is no limit to the excitement, and IM Florida has shown that a big group of bloggers makes race day that much better. How many bloggers will be in Louisville?