It’s October 6th, 2019 and the sun hasn’t even come up.  As I walk toward the transition area I can feel the cool breeze coming off the Mediterranean Sea as I’m surrounded by 2000 other triathletes preparing for the start of Ironman Barcelona.  The sun slowly comes up over the blue waters and then you begin to see the big red buoys out on the glassy water, bobbing up and down ever so gently.  The anticipation grows and my breathing and mental preparation gets more serious.  I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and the only thing I can do now is wait for the cannon to go off so I can start my 13 hr. adventure.

So that’s what I imagine Ironman Barcelona will be in a year from now.  We all have dreams and aspirations and one of mine was to complete a Ironman race by the time I was 45.  As we all know things don’t always go as planned.  Life gets in the way and sometimes we don’t make our goals in the intended time.  Despite the ups and downs and twists and turns that the roller coaster of life has thrown my way, I’ve signed up to compete in my first full Ironman race.

I hope this blog will be an inspiration to others that may be having their own challenges and motivate them to get out and do the things they’ve always wanted to do.  I know that I may be challenged myself in the coming year and I hope that I can draw from your encouragement as I get through the tough times that are sure to come.

until the next update.

-Ismael