Have you ever noticed how some of the key events in life are the most difficult to remember with true clarity? While many would argue that they remember all of these events down to the smallest detail, I tend to question that. Either their memories are just vastly better than mine, or they only THINK they have a clear picture of the event.
Here are a few examples.
Marriage. This is often one of the earliest life altering moments in a person's life. And yet most of my wedding day is a fog. I remember the big picture and a lot of the details for which we have pictures or stories. But a great deal of the day is a blur of people as we bounced from one event to another. My wedding day is one of the most important days of my life, but I have "drunken stupor parties" of which I have clearer memories.
Childbirth. I have a lot of memories from the birth of both of my children. The long labor my wife had with our son. The lightening quick birth of our daughter. I have lots of funny stories from both delivery days. But when it comes to the exact moment of birth, there were so many emotions and such a flurry of activity that many of the details are a haze. I vaguely remember seeing my son, thinking, "Dear Lord, he's big. I HAVE A SON!" After that, every ounce of my being was centered on my wife because I was so concerned about her health after the emergency C-section.
Ironman. Okay, not everyone has experienced this. But many of you have, and many more can relate as you have been at the finish line of an event. While completing Ironman Louisville falls well short of my wedding or the birth of my children, it was a big day in my life. More because I had focused so much energy into completing the race than anything else. After such a long time of dedicating a major portion of my time and effort, crossing the finish line was huge.
And like the others, it is a bit foggy. Okay, it's a lot foggy. Oddly enough, as with the birth of my children, most of the focus I could muster as I approached the finish chute was directed toward my wife. As in, "Where is my wife. Must find wife. Where is she? I know she's here somewhere." Finally, I decided she must be somewhere and "went into the light." I've mentioned before that little details were completely missed. Small things like sound. I distinctly remember the noise of the crowds as Iron Wil finished IMWI. The celebrations are quite apparent in any Ironman race video.
And somehow, it was "absent" when I finished. Well, something was absent. It might have been my ability to comprehend anything that was actually happening. Who knows?
Marriage is something I did once, and the only possibility of "recreating" the moment is if my wife and I decide to renew our vows. Childbirth. In the air.
But Ironman?
That's something I want to revisit. And for the most insane of reasons. I want to see if I can remember more of the second time down the finisher's chute.
Hey, we all need a reason. So what if mine is a bit whacked.
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