Last weekend the (what most people thought) impossible happened, I qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas Sept 11th. To say I’m stoked is an understatement, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t surprise myself a little. I started this triathlon journey 2 1/2  years ago when one night I was sitting in bed and I looked over at Jacqueline and said “I just signed up for a half Ironman”, I’m sure she wanted to laugh under her breath at the idea of this 245lb guy thinking he was capable of completing such a thing. A few weeks later Jacqueline and I went for a run and I couldn’t go ten minutes without stopping, she encouraged me to keep going and I managed to finish the 30 minute run but with a new appreciation of what it was going to take to complete the race. I finished the Sylvan Lake half Ironman that year in 5:58, success just to cross the line. I wanted more.

The next year I completed a few more Half Ironmans and the big one Ironman Canada, I finished with some improvements and was even more addicted to the sport than before, Jacqueline and other people have asked me what the goal is? The goal is to lead a healthy lifestyle and try to do as best as I possibly can at races, and qualify for Kona. Last year the 70.3 World Championships got moved to Vegas, the race was on my radar. My Mom lives in Vegas and I started thinking it might be possible to qualify if I had a really good race and of course put in the effort. I got a new coach who absolutely is the best, Lisa never tells me I can’t do something but she makes sure I put the hours in to be able to do it. My poor wife got dragged to Costa Rica for a race, New Orleans for a race, Houston for a race and last weekend Calgary for a race, all with an infant in her arms cheering me on without complaint, never once telling me I was unrealistic in my belief I could qualify for the World Championships even though I’m sure she had some doubts.

I had a good race last week, not a great race but I did enough to qualify. I was first out of the water ( in my age group), seventh off the bike and I finished in eighth.We went back to a friends house and I decided I may as well go to the roll down to see if I could get a spot, there were six spots in my division so I needed two people to not be there or not be able to go. The M.C. started talking, “male 35-39 age group, first place do you want to go?” the guy was already in line, “Second Place?” he was going too. I now had only a few more chances “Third?” yep you guessed it he was going too. Fourth and Fifth were also taking their spots so I had to hope the next two guys weren’t going. The announcer called out the sixth place name, NO ANSWER!!! He called out the seventh place name…anyone…anyone, “please lord let that guy not be here….NO ANSWER!! I knew the next name on the list was mine and I took it, I’m going to the Ironman 70.3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Amazing. The best part of the whole thing was how happy everyone was for Jacqueline and I when they found out, everyone knew the sacrifices we have both made for this to happened and they were over the moon for us.

At first I didn’t care how I did at the World Championships but my tune has changed, I might never get this opportunity in my life again so I’m going for it. I will be training harder than ever, my diet will be tight, and my attitude will be to race as hard as I can on the day and get the best result possible. I will never let someone tell me I can’t do anything and with my wife and daughter at my side I can accomplish anything, the world is there for the taking but it moves fast so you have to hit the ground running. Run at your dreams, chase down all the things you said you wanted to do and do them, don’t wait until it’s to late. Surround yourself with people that believe in you, and will help you reach your goals, discard the people that don’t.

Two and a half years ago, I drank to much, I ate terribly and I was 245lbs, today I’m training for a race I could have never even dreamed I’d compete in. Dreams do come true…through hard work.

See you at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships Finish Line,

MB