IronMan 2012

Before last week it never occurred to me that I would have a son participating in an Ironman. With no formal training or preparation. Next week.

He and his team signed up last week on a whim for this very important event at their school which is one of the first in decades in our city and is receiving lots of media attention. Four boys and four girls on his team. It’s quite incredible.

The principal in school told me she has never seen such a confident group. Barely any other older groups of students have embarked on this challenge-but these newbies have signed up and are passionate and enthusiastic and raring to go. They are actually fighting over who gets to do the most km! They are crazy.

An Ironman looks like this:

Swim 3.8 km

Run 42.2 km

Bike 180km

They will relay. It was supposed to be all night long but they changed it to the day for media and crowd cheering abilities. Starts at 6am sharp next Friday until 7pm Friday. Wow.

This group really, really impresses me. Bear has had a super strong group of friends over the last 3-4 years and the cornerstone of this group is supportive parents. For some reason his group all come from really strong, stable, wonderful, loving and generous families and these kids are all shown unbelievable support from parents. It really makes a big big difference.

It’s funny how out of all  my three kids Bear seems to always have had the least social need yet his group and bonds are the strongest. He needs it the least (it appears anyways) and he gets it the most. Interesting to analyze on a rainy day isn’t it?

I am beyond proud, impressed and scared about this Ironman. I am a bit jealous too…I can’t believe these offerings and opportunities at this school….I wish I had those chances!!!

So glad I get to live through my three kids. It’s plain old fun.

Bear was asked by the group Mom organizer today”Which sports do you want to do most of? Where can you add the most value to the team”? His reply; "Biking, running and swimming. A lot of it. I want to  be team captain and lead and carry my team".
(Who says that when you are 12 and this is your first event)?

My favorite part of all of this??? My absolute favorite?? Would be to see the sports program director see Bear’s name on this list. A Grade 7 in Ironman!!. That guy who missed the exam for the sports audition while he was getting his appendix out. Ya him!!…the one that was not strong enough to take a proper retake after 6 weeks post surgery bc he had lost 14 lbs ya him!…the ones who’s parents stood behind him, obsessed, strategized and fought for him to get his place and ending up proving that their son NEEDED to be in this program.

And that they needed him.

Now he’s in Ironman! He will definitely be climbing Kilimanjaro in Sec 3 and will likely lead his team up that mountain with positive encouragement and enthusiasm. He is meant for this program like a fish in water!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so deperately relieved and happy that he has his spot despite his surgery. It was worth every single millionth brain cell and enery put into this.

It’s one of those "I told you so" moments and it feels darn good.

Sweet.

(I never promised it was a good mommy moment did I???)