About Me

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Austin, Texas, United States
I'll make you laugh, or break my neck trying. This is usually accomplished with daily bouts of swimming, biking and running. A former "chub-a-holic," I got fit and healthy the good old fashioned way and went from a mid-pack athlete to top age group runner and triathlete. I'm a Writer and USAT Level 1 Certified Triathlon Coach. I guess that makes me part Tina Fey and part Jillian Michaels. Visit my coaching site at www.fomotraining.com

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Last Hour


“Ladies and Gentleman, we are now into the 15th hour of the Ironman World Championships here in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii!”

Those were fragments of Mike Reilly’s voice I was hearing from our rental car. Shawn and I were awaking from a nap in Kona. Funny, really…We were napping while 1,800 other athletes were participating in the race of a lifetime. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? Instead of losing our coveted parking spot, we decided to sleep in the car for a couple of hours so that we would be awake, alert and ready to cheer those final competitors across the finish line until the bitter end. We wanted to be at the finish line for the last hour of the Ironman World Championships in Kona. Hour 16 to Hour 17…the moment of truth for so many…coming in under the wire with mere minutes or seconds to spare.

“You Are An Ironman!” was heard over and over again as I drifted in and out of sleep throughout the evening. Only, I was hearing his voice for real. Reilly really was calling out people’s names for hours on end—and never, not once, sounding weary of shouting one of the most life-changing cheers in all of sports. “You are an Ironman.”

We shuffled over to the finish line where we found a perfect spot right by the chute. A step up on a curb gave us an even better view of the “promised land.” The atmosphere was electric. Yes-it was now 11pm and we were still a little nap-dazed, but the crowd was huge and the loud music and video screens only added to the excitement. How can you not get pumped up when AC/DC is blaring over the loud speakers?! By this time, the winners Chrissie Wellington and Craig Alexander had both finished, showered, eaten, napped and were now at their places at the finish line to greet those who were coming across. How lucky for these “last hour” finishers to get to hi-five and hug the official champions! Kind of makes you wonder who the real champions are… Is it the guy who can finish in 8 ½ hours or the 70 year old who crosses the line in 16 ½?

The last hour of Ironman illustrated compassion, exhilarance, determination, love, support, perseverance, and faith. These competitors fought the toughest conditions, tested their physical and emotional limits, and still managed that final sprint across the finish line to now hear the ENTIRE crowd now yelling, “You are an Ironman!” The last hour didn’t discriminate. It saw the oldest finisher, a 78-year-old male, and the youngest finisher, an 18-year-old female. Both were equally inspiring. How did either of them do it? I was forever changed by that last hour and consider myself honored to have been a part of the celebration for those who conquered the achievement.

Yes, it’s true that completing an Ironman and fighting the fight up until that last hour really is a metaphor for living.

Today, my sister-in-law WON her fight against cancer and is now in the arms of the Spirit. She crossed the finish line a brave and battered soldier…exhausted and yet, complete. The last few months have been full of desperate moments followed by miraculous moments. Through it all, she continued her life’s journey when it didn’t seem possible…When the clock was against her, she kept pushing. She continued the race, even though her 140.6 miles lasted months and years at a time and were much more difficult than a few measly miles on the road. A flat tire or two set her back, but she always found the right tools and the right doctors to help her carry on through the race. Her husband and family provided her with her spiritual nutrition mile after mile. Truth be told, her attitude provided the family with much needed nutrition as well. We often forget that the spectators are more exhausted than the athlete sometimes. Like most people who have ever done an Ironman distance race, you know you can plan all you want to, but the race itself is unpredictable. Such is life…no matter how much we plan, who can predict these turns of events? You simply have to adapt your plan to live for the moment and not necessarily for the end result. Often enough, the end result isn’t what we plan anyways.

Her last hours were much like those of the Ironman athletes in Hour 16: she was surrounded by compassion, support, unwavering faith and deep, deep love. Her last hours were brave as she fought hard through the most difficult conditions. Fear gave way to peace when she realized that the race was almost complete. And now, as she crosses the finish line, I can stand with the multitudes of angels and loved ones when I say, “Monica Barrett, You are an Ironman.”

26 comments:

bonita sarita said...

What a beautiful tribute. You and Shawn's family are in my thoughts.

ShirleyPerly said...

Great way to remember your sister in law. Dealing with cancer is indeed a race in itself. May she rest in peace now that it's over.

Stephanie S said...

I should not be sitting at work with tears running down my face, but I am. May you always remember her beautiful smile and her joy for life, then she will never truly be gone.

Richard said...

Our thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you for a touching post.

Viv said...

Oh goodness Carrie, what a tough fight she fought. A beautiful tribute to the strength cancer takes on the person fighting and the family.
My thoughts are with you and Shawn.

Spokane Al said...

I am so sorry to read of your loss of your sister. I believe she would be very proud of your moving tribute.

Take care.

Donald said...

What a beautiful perspective. I'm sorry for your loss.

21stCenturyMom said...

What a really nice way to put those final hours. I've been there and I only wish I'd had this metaphor and this perspective.

May your sister in law rest in peace and may her survivors find comfort in having each other and their memories of her.

Colleen Renee' Wilson said...

Carrie, gosh...i am in tears at work. I wish I could give you a big hug right now. You are so right, she did win her fight as it was time. I am guessing in the coming months and years the legacy she left will be unbelievable. My grandmother always said better to have a testimony than a title...and from what you write of her, she most certainly had a testimony. prayers for the family...and I will see you soon dear friend. If there is ANYTHING...i'm her.

Anonymous said...

WOW Carrie, that was really really lovely. Tears are welling for people I don't even know!

Take care of yourselves during this time - family is precious!

triguyjt said...

best post I have read in a long time....

may god bless your late sister in law and may she be at peace...havin run the great race..fought the great battle...

beautiful tribute

Jane said...

I'm sorry about your sister. This is a lovely post you wrote for her. Hugs to you and Shawn.

michelle said...

As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I am so moved by your words and her strength in fighting the fight to the finish...May you, Shawn and your family find use her strength during this time and forever. Thank you for sharing her spirit with us.

Runner Susan said...

What a beautiful tribute. May she rest in peace.

md said...

beautiful words. there is no love like a love between sisters. my thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

This is such a touching, beautiful post and tribute to your sister in law. Every word rings true.

I really like how you said she WON her fight with brest cancer. We are lucky to have such amazing people in our lives. She, too, was lucky to have such strong and caring people like you and Shawn in her life.

Thanks for sharing this.

Paco said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Shawn. What a beautiful tribute...

Sarah said...

Thank you for sharing this - I'm sitting here in tears thinking that it is a very perfect and very special tribute.

Anonymous said...

Carrie, I had not idea. I am so sorry for your loss. Cancer is such a tough thing for everyone involved! I have been there to watch it and it is so horrible, scary. My thoughts are with you and your family. A lovely posting thank you so much for sharing.

Garry said...

My thoughts are with you and Shawn and the entire family. Your post was a beautiful way to celebrate her life and courageous battle.

greyhound said...

This is such a beautiful post and so beautifully crafted that I have visited it several times. It almost demeans the sentiments to praise the writing, but it is very well done.

Michelle said...

My deepest condolences. Your words ring true.

Amytrigirl (aka Amybee) said...

I'm way behind on catching up with my blogging friends but got a chance to read yours this evening.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Your tribute to your sister-in-law was very touching and full of love.

Take good care of yourself during this time and give your brother a big hug.

IronWaddler said...

How beautiful.

Daily, I treat Cancer patients and car for their families while I watch their journey. I truly am inspired by them. May she find peace acroos the finish line and rest after the race.

Scott and Lindsey said...

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll be praying for your family and friends. May your sister rest in peace.

Runner Leana said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You put the battle into words so perfectly. It sounds like she had a wonderful family.