Ironman - Our family journey!

It all began months and months ago when Matthew asked me how I felt about him doing Ironman Arizona? I knew it was going to be a journey, with many ups and downs, lots of days feeling like a single mama and a focus on the final goal in order for us to get through it- but this family doesn't back down to anything so I said " Babe, we'll be your biggest cheerleaders". We decided early on to make this race a family affair and planned on traveling to Arizona to not only be there for Ironman, but also a mini vacation. My parents were on board along with Ashley and Thomas, flights and hotel were booked, arrangements for our animals made and most importantly Matthew received his training plan. See, you have to plan on doing a race at least a year in advance because registration for an Ironman takes place a day after the current years race. Registration for this years Ironman Arizona took place last year- the commitment and decision to attempt (yes I said attempt) one is made way before the reality of the true feat sets in. We knew it would be a trying year but have always vowed to support one another in all things - I had no doubt we, yes we, would all get through it.

The Ironman race is composed of three separate events, swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 and running a full marathon (26.2 miles).  I heard your gasp.... Therefore, the Ironman journey begins waaaaaay before the day of the race. It is a commitment to push your body, mind, time and relationships to their strongest limits as you train daily for what you'll put your body through. It takes a strong, strong person to get through the emotional and physical turmoil of preparing for a race of this magnitude.

My husband completed his training plan with grace, dignity, sacrifice, faith and most importantly integrity. He woke up early, went to bed late... Yet still managed to be a good husband, daddy and business owner... even at times of physical and emotional weakness. He persevered, stayed focus and on November 18- it all became worth it!!!!

Much like getting married or anticipating the arrival of a new baby, this ironman race filled us with excitement, a tinge of fear/what the hell did we get ourselves into (I'm sure for Matthew the we was an I), happiness and pride. Matthew drove to Arizona, I flew up Thursday morning with Pax (alone, thats a whole other post in itself) and the rest of the group flew up Saturday morning. We spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday exploring the Ironman expo, relaxing as a family, sleeping as much as possible and supporting Matthew as he prepared to race. There are so many "rules" of an Ironman race. Meetings to attend bike check in, packing all your gear bags, specials needs bags, making sure all of your gear is in top notch condition and above all else mentally preparing yourself for the race. Matthew vigilantly checked, re-checked and checked again all his lists and must haves, while I did my best to stay out of the way yet be the support system I knew he needed.

Race day came so quickly, we woke up at 4:30am (Paxton passionately yelled "no, no, no" when we woke him up) left our hotel at 5 and joined the thousands of other athletes and spectators at the race site. We managed to all get a squeeze and I love you from our main man, and I held back the tears as I watched him confidently walk away from us, already proud that he had made it this far and also nervous about what he was about to do. I squeezed pax tight, said a quick prayer and left the rest to God.

Ashley and I wanted a good spot to see the swim start, so we got on the humongo bridge and "excused" our way to a good spot. Ahhhh... sunrise and a good view. I couldn't help but think about what Matthew was thinking as he was treading water below us.  The calm before the storm. 

7:00 on the dot and BOOM- it began! The swimmers were off- and the race was on. The athletes have from 7-12 midnight to complete the course. It was going to be a loooooong day.

As we made our way to the swim out area of the course, within minutes pro athletes start coming out of the water (45 something minutes had gone by) and within 15 minutes of that- here come the other athletes. Ashley wanted a good photo spot for when he exited the water so where did she end up... In a tree of course!!!! No lie!! Haha

We all waited, so eager to see him exit and in race mode. They exited in waves, one after the other- masses of athletes- still we waited. An hour went by (he told us expect him out between 8:15 and 8:30)Another hour went by, It was now 9:00, still, we hadn't seen him, our tracker showed he hadn't gotten out of the water, the announcer was shouting 20 minutes until swim cut off time.... Nothing. I was slowly starting to panic- hypothermia? Did he have to stop? Maybe we missed him? (No, 5 adults are standing here staring at the exit) 4 minutes before swim cut off time my tracker updated and what do you know.... He had gotten out of the water at 8:19 right on pace and WE HAD MISSED HIM... Y'all I lost it. Full blown sobs into my daddy's shoulders. Thinking he wouldn't make the swim cut off time, or worse that something had happened - I cried tears of joy and raised my hands in gratitude for the mistake. He had already been out cycling for an hour! We grabbed our stuff and high tailed it to a good watch area for the bike. Geez... not how I had anticipated this going!

Over the next 6 hours, we watched and cheered like crazy people as our amazing athlete kicked freaking butt and burned rubber as he flied through the bike course- perfectly on pace!

We had decided to look at this race and day in phases... Swim (hour and 20 minutes)... 3 loops on the bike course (6 - 7 hours) and 3 loops on the run course (finish by midnight). We were 8 hours down and waited anxiously to see him start the run. We saw him exit transition, he did a little hop skip jump, cheered for him with mega phones, bells, held up our posters with quotes from his training wall and positioned ourselves In a spot where we would get to see him 6 more times.

We waited anxiously to see him at every loop and each time he looked strong, still super motivated, full of gratitude and took a few minutes to stop and share a kiss with me and a hug and encouraging word from family.  What he didn't realize is that we needed it as much (obviously not more) than he did.  I really thought the day would drag on and we would be waiting all day just to see a glimpse of him but it wasnt that way at all! We saw him many, many times and this made it way more fun and exciting.  The time flew by!

When we saw him around mile 24... we knew it was time to head to the Finish line... wait the what?? The FINISH LINE! We got there, positioned ourseleves perfectly... right along the fence of the finishers chute and what do you know... I hear from the camera guy next to me, "Uh, your kid is puking on me" I turn to look and yes, Paxton, my kid, was THE kid, that had just puked all over this guy.  I squeezed out a sheepish, "sorry", yelled for my mom (couldn't have handled it without her)... looked at the horror on my shirt, puke, everywhere.  O-M-G! Took my shirt off, threw on a jacket, changed Paxtons shirt (5th wardrobe change that day, thank you stomach bug - just call me IronMom :)) and re-positioned ourseleves, within seconds literally to catch Matthew coming down the chute. 

 

To hear the words "Matthew Reibenstein YOU are an IronMan" was so very emotional for me.  Not for selfish reasons, but for the sheer fact that when you love someone you want nothing more than for their dreams to come true, for them to succeed.  I know how much it meant to him... just imagining what he was feeling was overwhelming.  Furthermore, my husband having lost 130+ pounds, has been on quite the journey to be named an Ironman.... I was just so full of joy and overcome with emotion for him.  Knowing how proud everyone was of him.. my parents, his family, his Mom and Dad.  Its not everyday you test the furthest limits of your mind and body.  It was amazing.    

Our family made a committment to support, encourage and cheer Matthew on in this journey and when we agreed to it, never did I think we would be changed and grow because of it too.  What an experience... what a man I am married to... What an amazing God we serve who gives us the ability to push our bodies to limits we never thought possible.  He is already talking about Ironman Florida 2014... we
re going to volunteer this year to sign up for the following year. Yes WE... I'm going to sign up for Ironman Florida too... what the heck? HAHA... YEAH, RIGHT!  

This wife couldn't be more proud...  If you need some motivation or encouragment in your life; first and foremost pray about it, but the biggest lesson I have learned from watching Matthew is that perseverance and Faith will get you through anything you want badly enough... as long as your willing to do your part. 





I love you Matthew James... I am so proud of you. WE are so proud of you!