Mandy Budzowski from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania—YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
I doubt I will ever forget those
nine words — or the incredible journey of my first IRONMAN. I’ve waited almost
a week to do this recap and share my experience with you because each time I
start, I have gotten completely overwhelmed with intense gratitude for the
experience and for everyone who has supported me this season.
My family, fiancé, friends, coaches,
colleagues, and fellow competitors have stayed with me this entire year and
helped me focus on what mattered — the journey and not the finish line. I can
confidently and joyously say that IRONMAN has changed my life and I will never
be the same person. I consider this milestone a huge success and a building
block for even greater things to come.
The days leading up to the event
were busy: athletes had to check in, attend the athlete mandatory meetings,
prep transition bags, and take our bikes to transition. Coach Matt arrived in Louisville on Saturday just
in time to help me navigate the bag and bike check process. I was
relieved to have him there because there was so much to do and it was all new
to me.
Race day started at about 3 a.m. and
ended about 10:30 p.m., so it was a long day. It was so humbling to be racing
with athletes of all abilities — from pro athletes to athletes with
disabilities. Everyone on the course was giving their very best and all they
had. All day long, I kept thinking about how all of this had come to be. It
wasn’t too long ago when I saw the Rick and Dick Hoyt videos for the first time and
then ran a marathon for cancer in honor of my mom, who later would lose her
battle.
Every bit of the day was so
emotionally overwhelming. Happy, sad, exciting, and nervous energies surrounded
me. I remember crying at mile 100 on the bike and wiping tears through my
sunglasses; I was so physically and mentally drained. That moment as well as
all the others let me know that the human body is amazing and can achieve
anything that the mind believes it can.
Throughout the day I met some
unbelievable athletes. During the run you really get to talk to folks and find
out a little about them while everyone is encouraging each other to get to the
finish. I met men and women of all ages from all walks of life. They
shared the most breathtaking journeys of their IRONMAN drive. Those
athletes will never know how much they helped me get to the finish when things
started getting really tough — they were my angels.
At every turn I could hear “Go
Amanda” and “You’re close, 201!” I am forever thankful for the positive atmosphere
and all the encouragement on the course from everyday fans and volunteers. I am
especially thankful for my IRONFAN group (both virtually and in person) who
followed me relentlessly and helped me get through the day. I had to dig deep and really focus on getting to the
finish line and all the positive vibes were motivating.
Close to midnight, we went back to
the finish line to cheer in the last athlete to become an IRONMAN. I will never
forget the man who came through for all of the fans cheering him in. With ten
seconds to go, we heard, “You are an IRONMAN,” and he just collapsed into a
volunteer’s arms. I was so overwhelmed and grateful at that moment I couldn’t
help but cry. I was crying for him, I was crying for me, and I was just so
happy in that moment.
It’s difficult for me to put all
this to words and explain exactly how this has made a profound impact on my
life, but it has. I am sure in weeks to come I will continue to decompress from
the day and reflect on all that I have experienced. One thing I know for sure:
as I said at the beginning, ordinary can be extraordinary!
I started this journey by saying everyone
has an Everest, and IRONMAN was mine. I think that we all have an “IRONMAN” —
whether it’s completing a 5k, achieving a healthy goal, or conquering a
lifelong dream. I challenge all of you to chase your IRONMAN. The experience of
reaching that finish line is beautiful and will forever change your life too!
It’s about so much more than a personal best. It’s about finding something
inside yourself that you may not have known you have. That’s what IRONMAN did
for me.
I’ve made it official: I am so proud
and happy to announce that on August 17, 2014, I will be competing in the Subaru IRONMAN North American Championship Mont Tremblant
with Team in Training in honor of my family’s little hero Ava Maryann
Turner. I am alive and well and want to use this positive experience to raise
money to help find a cure for childhood cancer.
Thanks for all the love and support.
Go get your IRONMAN!
— Coach MANDY
I
doubt I will ever forget those nine words — or the incredible journey
of my first IRONMAN. I’ve waited almost a week to do this recap and
share my experience with you because each time I start, I have gotten
completely overwhelmed with intense gratitude for the experience and for
everyone who has supported me this season. - See more at:
http://www.upmcmyhealthmatters.com/category/physical-activity/ironwoman-training/#sthash.ISDjc5Nz.dpuf
I
doubt I will ever forget those nine words — or the incredible journey
of my first IRONMAN. I’ve waited almost a week to do this recap and
share my experience with you because each time I start, I have gotten
completely overwhelmed with intense gratitude for the experience and for
everyone who has supported me this season. - See more at:
http://www.upmcmyhealthmatters.com/category/physical-activity/ironwoman-training/#sthash.ISDjc5Nz.dpuf
I
doubt I will ever forget those nine words — or the incredible journey
of my first IRONMAN. I’ve waited almost a week to do this recap and
share my experience with you because each time I start, I have gotten
completely overwhelmed with intense gratitude for the experience and for
everyone who has supported me this season. - See more at:
http://www.upmcmyhealthmatters.com/category/physical-activity/ironwoman-training/#sthash.ISDjc5Nz.dpuf
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