To say I’ve been overwhelmed a little lately would be an understatement. With my job at the pub, a busy race schedule, The GWN triathlon and also family commitments I know I’ve been delinquent on blogging and I was struggling to find time to sit down and write something….then something happened. I received an email from a lady who’ll remain nameless, she made me remember why I write this blog and how far I’ve come in my journey. She wrote:

“Hi Mike,

My name is _____ and I am emailing you after coming off of the computer for the 100th time staring and the website for the GWN race.  This last time I found myself reading your blog.  I am so inspired by the words you wrote and the journey you yourself have been on.  Barely two years ago I was very over weight, serious health issues building and  a mother of 3 who was slowly checking out on life.  This year finds me at the completion of 5 Sprint triathlons, several 5Km runs, soon to be 10km runs and a lot less pounds.  Im all about being present in every moment of life now.  My personal trainer put a bug in my ear to set out a bigger goal and alluded to GWN.  And that is how I found myself in front of the screen so often. I’ve spent hours thought processing  the capabilities, the why’s, the numbers, the possibilities.  I just want to let you know that you’re blog inspired me so much to take hold and believe in my dreams and reminded me of the hard work i’ve done to get here, that I have the strength, support and love to take it to where Im going next…which just looks like it just may be GWN 2012.

I wish you all the best in your venture of taking over the race, I hope that your passion and perseverance is caught like a tidal wave amongst all levels of people reaching for their dreams…”

This small little email humbled me more than anything has before, it made me really sit back and reflect on just how broken I used to be and how my words may have helped one person believe they could accomplish something.This lady’s registration later came across my email that she had indeed entered the GWN 2012.  Last weekend I competed in the Half Ironman WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, now this may not be a big deal to lots of people but I had never or may never again compete at something on this level. I am proud to say I came in 986th place, 146th in my age group and had the time of my life. In the span of 14days I had set an Ironman personal best at IMCAN and two weeks to the day later I finish with a smile the World Champs, crazy. We all fail in life and make mistakes that we wish we wouldn’t have made, but not everyone gets up. We let people judge us and draw conclusions on events that don’t define us but we let the judgers dictate how we will be perceived…not any more. I will dictate how people view me, how people treat me. Through my actions good or bad only I determine how the world sees me. Not because I had a tough childhood, not because everyone is out to get me, not because “I can’t” or “I won’t”, and most definitely not because I’m scared to fail. I will succeed.

You may never get to a World Championships of anything but does that mean you stop trying to be a World Champion? HELLLLLLLLL NO!!! Be a champion in everything you do and whats the worse that can happen? You wake up tomorrow better than you did today.

See you at the finish line,

MB