The BEST thing about Ironman...

I am not a big one for quotes. In particular, movie quotes. BUT, I will say that I saw this one probably 8 months ago and it has stuck with me. It encapsulates how I feel about some of my goals exponentially.

I was watching Tangled with my kids. For those of you who don't know, Tangled is the story of Rapunzel as told by Disney. At one point, Rapunzel - who has been locked in a tower for 18 years - escapes with her only dream being to see the "festival of lights" - a yearly celebration of lanterns launched into the sky on her birthday. Flynn Ryder (a Prince Charming of sorts)  takes Rapunzel out on a boat to see the lights and right before the first lantern is launched, Rapunzel worries about finally seeing the lights. And what captured my attention was the response Flynn gave to Rapunzel...

Flynn: "You okay?"
Rapunzel: "I'm terrified."
Flynn: "What? Why?"
Rapunzel: "What if it's not everything I dreamed it would be?"
Flynn:"It will be."
Rapunzel: "And what if it is? What do I do then?"
Flynn: "Well, that's the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream."

And, of course, it was everything she dreamed it would be - plus she got the guy.

This touched my heart and I thought about it for awhile. When training for goals, that is sometimes all you think about and focus on. Post-IM, post-wedding, post-any goal being reached, I have heard people having some sort of let-down. What do I do now? How do I go on? I have reached my goal - now what? 

I am lucky to have lived my dreams repeatedly over the past few years...

Ross and I completing our first Ironman with the support of family and friends around us.

Traveling to South Africa and going sub-9 in Comrades!

Qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon with the support of family, in particular, my dad.

Doing IMCDA with many, many friends - here is just a smattering of us all the night before!

So while some feel a let down after Ironman (or meeting any goal), I think the best part is now.

Now it is time to go find another dream...