A year ago, I received a phonecall from Fuzzy saying that there were registrations available for the 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Iron Man. He had filled everything out, but was waiting to click the button that was going to seal the deal. We talked about what it would mean for us--it was a conversation we were having a lot at the time--and I gave my standard advice about how if he was going to do it, that was all he was going to do (no shows, no stand-up), our diet was going to have to change, and we he was going to have to be super dedicated to the training. I then told him that he was NOT crazy and that he could, in fact, do it. And if he wanted to and was inspired to, then that's what he needed and HAD to do. He clicked the button, making it official.
A lot has happened in that year. I left my job, he lost his. We adjusted to the double freelance life. We traveled to a foreign country. We had the most amazing summer we've probably ever had together. We've supported each other every step of the way.
It was devastating when Fuzzy lost his job. He loved that job and was so happy there. But when he accepted the job, I was nervous about his schedule of maintaining a 9-5 life and an Iron Man life. I really do feel like we were handed a gift when the company shut down print production. Suddenly, Fuzzy was gifted the time that he needed for all of his training. Which he handled beautifully. I am so impressed with his training dedication.
We had to make a lot of adjustments in our lives. He had to go to bed early so that he could get enough sleep for the next day's workout. I tried to stay up later to support my rehearsals for my shows. We worked from home in the days, and had afternoons together. We started eating a bit smarter (just a bit) and being smarter with our purchases. We got better at living in the moment and enjoying things. We had a lot of fun. We were tired all the time. We leaned on each other when we needed to. I tried to encourage and support Fuzzy when things were tough and when he needed it most. He did the same for me when I needed it, and was my biggest cheerleader for my triathlon endeavors this year.
I hear that an Iron Man can be straining on a relationship when one member is training and the other is not. I am happy to say that Fuzzy and I were never strained. We are a really good and functional couple anyways, but I feel especially more so now. We've previously made it through tragic family times together, so this, this was cake! This was a fun thing that he chose to embark on, so of course it's not going to be hard! The toughest part for me was that I always want more time with Fuzzy, and a lot of his time was spent out biking, swimming or running. But we got through it.
We've been talking a lot lately about the event and what it means. Analyzing it and talking about Fuzzy's experience with it. A funny thing happens when we talk about him finishing and the event being over: we cry. I'm not really sure why it is, but an event like this is a really emotional thing. Think about what a feeling it is going to be when Fuzzy crosses that finish line. He set a goal, spent a year training for it, and now, here it is. It's a lot to comprehend. And I wonder what our lives are going to be like withOUT this event on the horizon. Will we be relieved? Sad? Will there be a hole there? One thing's for sure, it will be a considerable change in our lives. And what will be the NEXT thing? The possibilities for the future will be endless.
I've always been proud of Fuzzy and I love him with all of my heart. But this. This. I have never been more amazed by or proud of anyone. I am so inspired by him.
So here we are. We head to Madison tomorrow. The event starts Sunday at 7am. It finishes when it finishes, but sometime before midnight.
I will be there crying.
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If anyone would like to follow along with his progress, his bib # is 1914. The results page on the website is here. If you would like email or text updates, just let me know. And if you are able, please send some good thoughts and prayers to Fuzzy on Sunday! Positivity and good vibes are most definitely welcome. Or leave him an encouraging comment here. Thank you!
