The Road to IRONMAN: Bumps and Bruises

Mike Drak, Author and Senior Contributor for Booming Encore, has publically shared his goal to complete the IRONMAN race in Cozumel in November, 2022. He is currently undergoing an agressive training schedule and shares updates with us on his progress.

Last week I was out for a little 100 km training ride. I was looking forward to doing the work out because the day was hot, humid and windy just like it will be at Cozumel.

While going through a turn on a country road I managed to hit a rut that was filled with sand and went down like a rug was pulled out from under me.

It’s not fun hitting the deck at age 67 and the first thing I did was look around to see if anyone had seen what had happened. I was embarrassed what can I say? People my age shouldn’t be crashing on bikes that’s for younger people.

Physically I was fine except for a tear in my shorts and some bumps and bruises. I considered myself lucky because breaking a clavicle or some other part of my body this late in the game would have prevented me from attempting Ironman Cozumel in November.

The problem I had was that I couldn’t find the strength to get up off the road. When cars went by I didn’t want them to stop and ask if I was ok so I pretended I was examining my bike from a seated position. Funny how we think sometimes.

Eventually I got the strength to get up. I thought to myself should I take the easy out and call my son for a pick up or continue on and ride out the remaining 40 km?

It was a close decision but I decided on the latter and eventually made it home.

Ironman training is tough and things happen. I know my resiliency and the size of my “WHY” my driving force will be tested many times before my race.

I want to get healthy again so I will keep training and do the work because I know exactly what the payoff will be and I want that payoff bad.

Every bump on the road makes me stronger and I continue to be driven by my mission.

Life is tough and we will get knocked down more than a few times. The important thing is to get up more than you are knocked down.

PS; In case you were wondering the bike was ok.