I often - or I should say always? - watch videos of past Ironman Kona championships while I do my indoor bike training. This obviously takes place primarily during my winter training schedule. Aside from being a very fair-weather athlete, it affords me the opportunity to be inspired by the stories that play out on this canvas both for the professional and age-group athletes, showcasing their talents and determination for all to see.
One comment or phrase that sticks with me at these times is something along the lines of how much has to go right for an athlete on the day of any particular event. You can never guarantee perfect health on race day, or that you won't have some mechanical malfunction to contend with, or that you won't experience adverse weather conditions to cope with. All of these and more can come at you and test your reserves and mental fortitude. I can attest to several such circumstances in my time in competition, including torrential downpours and hailstorms, a slipped bike chain while climbing a hill, and getting kicked in the head during the swim.
The same reality of ebbs and flows come at you in training and in the life leading up to any given race. What has been demonstrated to me since I started in this Ironman world in 2008 is there is no perfect path in training, no year when there has not been bumps along the way. For age-groupers like myself, this means juggling the demands of life outside of Ironman. Most of us have to work to live into a chance to participate in an Ironman or to afford the cost of equipment and registration fees. Work and family obligations will come first for us non-professionals. Regardless of effort or desire, Ironman performance is not our primary or sole commitment.
This year and last - 2020 and 2021 - have tested this balancing act like never before and have reminded me of the realities and challenges of keeping focused on a goal. When I restarted this journey to Ironman in late 2019 and early 2020, no one would have imagined the impact a global pandemic would have on the plans of mice and men. In February 2020, I made a commitment to raise funds and awareness in support of the Kids With Cancer Society, DIPG and Ronan Smyth. And even as COVID continued to take hold of our lives in 2020, I remained focused on my goals and was probably in my best shape since my 20s. Then, of course, Ironman Canada 2020 was cancelled and my focus shifted to 2021.
These past few weeks have continued to throw curveballs at me, both good and bad, as I recommit to my goals. We've had a reasonable start to spring here in Edmonton that has allowed me to get outside on my bike earlier than I have done in many years prior - up until this weekend when we were hit by a crazy blizzard. That reality will have me back on the wind trainer again for at least a few more days. Run training has similarly being going along well and I was pleased with the volume of running that I was getting in - up until I broke one of my toes in a simple household accident! So moving a bit more gingerly in the short-term. I was also quite pleased with my progress and stamina in the pool - up until the COVID resurgence in our third wave caused our facility to close yet again. So back to doing some strength and core training to stimulate those swim muscles.
On the bigger stage of life, I was extraordinarily happy to see my oldest daughter get her first COVID vaccine (access given due to underlying chronic health condition)! This follows on my wife's successful vaccination - with full two doses - earlier in March because of her healthcare role. Others in my extended family are also getting or are scheduled for doses, and I am scheduled for the end of April. Relief is starting to cross my furrowed brow.
But life has decided to throw another curveball at me, laced with irony. Being a member of the Cops for Cancer Ironteam since 2008 and now strongly committed to raising $100,000 for the Kids With Cancer Society since last year, my family finds that cancer has decided to make things even more personal. Earlier this month, my wife received a diagnosis of breast cancer. She is in the very early days of this journey and we are both grateful the cancer was caught early. We are only now beginning to understand the choices before us and won't have anything close to clarity on treatment plan for several more weeks. As you can imagine, the emotional and mental stress for her - and for her family - has been very much been about ebbs and flows. Trying to not future surf, presume the worst, remain optimistic, and yet also having those moments of anxiety and fear that test our energy.
In many respects, I believe this reality will also bring me closer to appreciating what Ronan's family had to experience and endure as they navigated through a much harsher reality for their son - having inoperable brain cancer, with no hope of recovery, simply looking for ways to make the most of the time remaining to them. And they did just that. They lived life to the fullest possible with the mantra that Ronan came to take on - and which I share - of Why Not! There is no doubt that Ronan and his family experienced many ebbs and flows with what cancer threw at him and at them.
The reality is we have no say in what life throws at us - broken toe, weather, COVID, cancer diagnosis. We continue to have a choice as to how we will respond to these ebbs and flows. We can still live with determination and purpose.
Ironman Canada is just over four months away. My fundraising goal is $90,000 away from completion. My life and my commitment will be challenged by my wife's cancer diagnosis but it shall not define us.
F#ck cancer.
Home - Greg Hadubiak Cops for Cancer Ironteam (akaraisin.com)
Are you with me?
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