KIEL KELLER, You are an Ironman! those were the words I have been waiting to say to him! These words mean everything about the journey of life and how one handles adversity, mental challenges. The gods of Thor dished it out on Sunday but we persevered as Keller boys so often do. This was by far the most mentally challenging race Ive had to do, as like any father wanting to protect his son, as I knew I was not going to be able to sugar coat the journey. He had to do his own race, his way, the way he was coached and the way he was trained. And so it was, after 400 yards of the swim, just like that he was gone, in the sea of masses. I wouldn't see him again until the run at mile 10. And then there he was just before going up Curry Rd hill. He was hurting then, in the dark place, a place many of us have been before, unable to process nutrition, over the heart rate limit. Why? I was the carrot he was chasing all day after the swim, trying to real in 20 something minutes. But like all our mentors have told us, it will pass and get better, and it did! By mile 12.5 he was good and I sent him on his way as he was already doing the math to the finish line. I knew he would be good but it was important to not hold him back, and then he was gone. At first in eye sight but slowly he started to pull away. Of course we had our spotters through out the course. After all we are nascar people, we understand what spotters can do. Mile 13 check, mile 15 check, mile 17check, mile 20 2x check, mile 24 check and he now with Bill Gilbertson to finish off the race on his own. His way! The reports roll in like clock work as I was reduced to a walk after Mile 18, major feet issues again. None of that mattered only the reports of his progress. I would have walked through hot flaming coals to make sure I finished if i had to but I knew with 4 minutes of what my time would be at mile 22. Math is a beautiful thing on an Ironman.
At mile 26.1 I saw it all starting to unfold, Jenn Huston busts out running toward me giving me a big hug and shared the news. The Zman is there giving the thumbs up. At the chute are the fellas, Gary and David. I had to stop in my tracks when I heard them as it was bedlam by then. Finally Carla, Hannah, and the entire Team Keller entourage in the ussual place for Ironman. I get the kiss! check...the place is going beserk and I can hardly hear. Really I cant even hear Rielly it was so loud. Its time to finish, no thought out plan this year, as my plan crossed 12 minutes before me. So I rolled down the right side of the chute and high fived every person I could. Half way I see this guy with a TV camera rolling with me as i continue down the line. As i get to the line I see Jordan Rapp standing there and give him a high five. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. Camera flashes everywhere going off, geez u would have thought we won the lottery. 2o feeet later the lottery winner was right there. Kiel was waiting for me to finish. A huge monumental hug, one that told me all I needed to know about what had happened to him/us today. And then there was Swet to capture those moments. Thank u my friend for the morning prayer and for being there with your camera. Photo ops, so many from everywhere. Bill Gilbertson is still there and we share the story how him and Kiel finished. It was rock-paper-scissors to see who went first. It doesnt get any better that! I wanted to spend time with Bill as he was worked so friggin hard to get that medal, and we will as he and Kiel have a bond that will be forever.
Its now post race photo op time as we picks a place near the finish line to meet and greet the family and friends who showed there support for 17 plus hours. WOW, just how cool is that! Ther e was a lull and then POW, champaine bottles spewing everywhere. Ok that caught me off guard for sure.
Twenty six years in the making since my son at age two asked his daddy about Ironman. Well son, how did that taste? You went out and got it. You never gave up and for that. You Are an Ironman!
Going backward from pre race and into the race, I cant tell you how much positive energy that we got. We used it like gasoline to fill up when needed. I lost count of how many times we saw Carla and Hannah and the entrouage! At the swim exit, bike entrance, Beeline at Shea 1, 2, 3rd loops, run start, both sides of the Mill St bridge and well into the night and finally at the finish line. Yall made this happen! To all the ONE teammates and I dont know where to start. i used every ounce of positive energy that you gave out. EVERY drop! John, Cyndi, Jenn, Katie, Bernice, Amy, Jeff and Jane, Dan, Erik, Bryan, Carlos, Sue, Lisa, Beth, Alveretta, Swet, Kirt, Lindsay, Rhino x2 for getting through another race, Lisa, Klas, Peter Carmel, Robert, Terra, Brooke, John, and all the families of the racers. Good lord thats alot of energy needed and i didn't name all of you. So many times I heard both my names so a big shout out also to my FB buds. I HEARD YOU ALL and used every one of your encouragements. To my SEC boys plus ONE, you guys know the deep respect I have for each of you. ONE MULTISPORT, I bleed orange and black for each of you! Finally to my fellow Ironman triathletes who towed the line yesterday, relish the moment and dont be disappointed in your times. Nobody will care what your times were only that they will call you an Ironman. Ironman is about perseverance, it may take time to get there, but if you are inclined to try never give up the goal. Thank you all so much for helping us make our dream come true.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
IRONMAN ARIZONA 2013: A LIFE LONG DREAM
NOVEMBER 11, 2013
Five days and a wake up before the race of of our lives. Are we ready? Kiel are you ready? 52 weeks ago we made this decision to embark on the journey of a lifetime. At 60 I see the journey clearly, at 28 the journey may be a little blurry. Later though as life goes on, this journey will be crystal clear. for it is not often one can share the race experience of a lifetime with there son. What makes a fathers dream become reality? What does it take for a son to step up and out beyond his father's shadow and say, lets do this! What emotions must be going on as we prepare silently for what surely will be an epic day. Surely he must be thinking Am I ready, did I prepare enough, can I finish? If only I could wash away his hidden fears and nerves before race day, but how can I as I'm having the same thoughts, just how the hell are we going to pull this off. So many emotions this week, so much preparation, for just ONE special day.
Yet here we are on the precipice of race day. Maybe its a good thing to work a little before thursday as surely when we enter the village the butterflies will be flying when it is time to pick up our packets.
The time to reflect is now as I reminisce on his basketball team winning the city championship in 7th grade as he followed the exact plan to defend the other teams best player, golfing in the high school state championship in Show Low with the wind blowing 30mph and the flagsticks bent to the ground, playing his last high school football game in the quarter finals before loosing in the last few seconds or fighting his way onto the starting foursome in golf while in college. Yes he has had lessons on lifes highs and lows. But Ironman, 140.6 miles of mental hell, Are you ready for this, better Are we ready for this. Will this bond as father son, will us to complete this battle. I believe I have shown him the light, the path to success in sports and in life. We will both dig deep into the bag of tricks. I know his weaknesses and he knows mine but more importantly we know our strengths, that burning desire to never quit against all odds. Yes that is what it will take. That never say die attitude no matter how tuff the battle is, Survival and the belief that anything is possible. Yes I remember when anything is possible, when a 145 lb, freshman heat seeking missle was told to go and make a play againist a 230 lb running back when your backs were againsit the wall... and you did, not once but twice in a row, rallying your team that night. yes anything is possible. We have had so many lifes journeys but this will be the hardest to date.
So here we are, Alaska boys ready to engage in the race of a lifetime, not againist each other or anybody else, just us againist the clock. We have 17 hours and we may need all of it to get us through. There will be issues, there always is, what they are I dont know yet , just that there will be trouble that brews and we will have sort it out and move on forward toward our goal. At 60 ya never know how many more chances you get to accomplish a dream. Im a beat up warrior for sure but it aint quite my time to be done yet.
We are grateful for all that have gotten us through this year. The women in our lives have made that possible. Both Carla and Hannah have sacraficed while making this happen. Who do you thank for a years worth of blood, sweat and tears. For me, I have had a lot of help to get me to the line this year. My PT expert magician, Kate at DIPT, my nutrionist Brooke who opened up a whole new door on the way the body proceesses good and bad fats, Dr. Mike Robb at FIX24 who sorted out my spine and discs, and his assitant Whitney with the vibrating gun to keep my back and shoulders operating correctly, LIFETIME for my sanctuary at the pool, Mcdowell MTN park my real sanctuary to hike and run with no boundaries, my ONE mates, John/Cyndi Dean, Rhino for guiding me in to the finish for 2012 IMAZ, Jon Ford for Barletting, my bike buddies, Todd, Pete, Robert and Jeff, the girls of ONE who swam and ran for me to relay this year, to keep this old guys legs fresh, Klas for seeing to it that Kiel made it to the starting line. Im sure Im missing a lot of names but yall know who you are and believe me each and every one of you made a difference in my life as a ONE triathlete.
This week will fly by and we wont begin to be able to tell everyone thanks so Im doing it now. God speed all u Ironmaners and to my son Kiel Keller, a soon to be rock star!
Five days and a wake up before the race of of our lives. Are we ready? Kiel are you ready? 52 weeks ago we made this decision to embark on the journey of a lifetime. At 60 I see the journey clearly, at 28 the journey may be a little blurry. Later though as life goes on, this journey will be crystal clear. for it is not often one can share the race experience of a lifetime with there son. What makes a fathers dream become reality? What does it take for a son to step up and out beyond his father's shadow and say, lets do this! What emotions must be going on as we prepare silently for what surely will be an epic day. Surely he must be thinking Am I ready, did I prepare enough, can I finish? If only I could wash away his hidden fears and nerves before race day, but how can I as I'm having the same thoughts, just how the hell are we going to pull this off. So many emotions this week, so much preparation, for just ONE special day.
Yet here we are on the precipice of race day. Maybe its a good thing to work a little before thursday as surely when we enter the village the butterflies will be flying when it is time to pick up our packets.
The time to reflect is now as I reminisce on his basketball team winning the city championship in 7th grade as he followed the exact plan to defend the other teams best player, golfing in the high school state championship in Show Low with the wind blowing 30mph and the flagsticks bent to the ground, playing his last high school football game in the quarter finals before loosing in the last few seconds or fighting his way onto the starting foursome in golf while in college. Yes he has had lessons on lifes highs and lows. But Ironman, 140.6 miles of mental hell, Are you ready for this, better Are we ready for this. Will this bond as father son, will us to complete this battle. I believe I have shown him the light, the path to success in sports and in life. We will both dig deep into the bag of tricks. I know his weaknesses and he knows mine but more importantly we know our strengths, that burning desire to never quit against all odds. Yes that is what it will take. That never say die attitude no matter how tuff the battle is, Survival and the belief that anything is possible. Yes I remember when anything is possible, when a 145 lb, freshman heat seeking missle was told to go and make a play againist a 230 lb running back when your backs were againsit the wall... and you did, not once but twice in a row, rallying your team that night. yes anything is possible. We have had so many lifes journeys but this will be the hardest to date.
So here we are, Alaska boys ready to engage in the race of a lifetime, not againist each other or anybody else, just us againist the clock. We have 17 hours and we may need all of it to get us through. There will be issues, there always is, what they are I dont know yet , just that there will be trouble that brews and we will have sort it out and move on forward toward our goal. At 60 ya never know how many more chances you get to accomplish a dream. Im a beat up warrior for sure but it aint quite my time to be done yet.
We are grateful for all that have gotten us through this year. The women in our lives have made that possible. Both Carla and Hannah have sacraficed while making this happen. Who do you thank for a years worth of blood, sweat and tears. For me, I have had a lot of help to get me to the line this year. My PT expert magician, Kate at DIPT, my nutrionist Brooke who opened up a whole new door on the way the body proceesses good and bad fats, Dr. Mike Robb at FIX24 who sorted out my spine and discs, and his assitant Whitney with the vibrating gun to keep my back and shoulders operating correctly, LIFETIME for my sanctuary at the pool, Mcdowell MTN park my real sanctuary to hike and run with no boundaries, my ONE mates, John/Cyndi Dean, Rhino for guiding me in to the finish for 2012 IMAZ, Jon Ford for Barletting, my bike buddies, Todd, Pete, Robert and Jeff, the girls of ONE who swam and ran for me to relay this year, to keep this old guys legs fresh, Klas for seeing to it that Kiel made it to the starting line. Im sure Im missing a lot of names but yall know who you are and believe me each and every one of you made a difference in my life as a ONE triathlete.
This week will fly by and we wont begin to be able to tell everyone thanks so Im doing it now. God speed all u Ironmaners and to my son Kiel Keller, a soon to be rock star!
Thor Soundtrack - Sons of Odin
http://www.youtube.com/v/SuxCmC9GRqc?version=3&autohide=1&showinfo=1&autohide=1&autoplay=1&feature=share&attribution_tag=sGhzf0ankn73buu1JmjfDQ
Saturday, February 9, 2013
2013: A Partnership in Ironman
With 2012 well behind us , we are now preparing for the upcoming race season. This is gonna be a very special year as my son, Kiel and I embark on the challenge of completing Ironman Arizona together. This has been my dream vacation since 1987 when I fisrt competed in Ironman Canada. We are both very excited to make this happen. We will need all the support we can get as well as the training support and camaraderie from our ONE Multisport mates. We will be doing several races together this year in preperation for IMAZ. This is how the race season will unfold:
1. Oceanside 70.3 2. Leadman 125 3. Boulder 70.3 4. SOMA 70.3 5. Ironman Arizona
This along with some of the local races should help us along the way for our journey. We will have interesting ride in 2013 and we look forward to having our ONE mates help us all along the way. what better present could a dad have than racing Ironman with his son. ONE LOVE for sure! We will need help along our journey as there will surely be many ups and downs along the way. but ONE thing is for sure, we will not quit. We are in it to finish it. We will be working with new nutrition this year and I will be relying on Kate @DIPT to keep me going through out the year. So look for the Keller boys at a venue near you soon.
1. Oceanside 70.3 2. Leadman 125 3. Boulder 70.3 4. SOMA 70.3 5. Ironman Arizona
This along with some of the local races should help us along the way for our journey. We will have interesting ride in 2013 and we look forward to having our ONE mates help us all along the way. what better present could a dad have than racing Ironman with his son. ONE LOVE for sure! We will need help along our journey as there will surely be many ups and downs along the way. but ONE thing is for sure, we will not quit. We are in it to finish it. We will be working with new nutrition this year and I will be relying on Kate @DIPT to keep me going through out the year. So look for the Keller boys at a venue near you soon.
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