The end of this journey

These three letters are probably the hardest three letter I have ever typed : DNF.

I didn’t make to the swim finish today at Ironman Florida . The strong current accentuated my weakest leg in the triathlon. I was throwing up and exhausted toward the end of swimming, and was pulled out of water. 

Yesterday I was all worried about the strong wind and low temperature on the bike, but today I would do everything to taste that hard ride. 
I gave myself sometime alone on the beach before I head back to find my family. Mike Reilly walking passed me. That was not the way I imagined to meet him. I am sure he has seen everything.
As a motivated and hard working woman, I very rarely tasted any major failure in my school, career and even during this Ironman journey . Until today.
Mother nature is truly humbling and will pick up the weakest ones. It’s brutally honest. 

Unpacking the carefully packed bike and run bags,the true sadness really settles in.  I realize how brutal the other side can be. 

It’s tough but it’s an experience. 2 months ago with 2 herniated disc, 3 weeks off, I was not even sure if I can do any Ironman event but today I stood at the starting line at the beach. 

The journey does not change, I will continue to work on my fitness. Rising again from this will make me tougher. Today the ocean swimming is not something I will ever forget . 

I always want to be a good role model for Emily , and today my experience showed her another side of the glorious story, something she will also inevitably experience one day in her life. But I will show her how we can get up and fight again. 

Thank you to my coach, my family and all the friends who have been supporting me during this journey.

[平林漠漠]

I agree especially with what polebear said, and everyone else, of course. You tried hard, you went for it. Ironman is a process, not just the day when you go competing. Think about the positive side :) Emily didn't lose her mom, your husband has you back in his arms, and your parents will still have many many chances to go with you when you train. Cheers!

[落花飘零]

谢谢你们，心里很难受，但是这几天陪着爱美丽在orlando玩，所以会调整心情。你们的话我都仔细看过好几遍，真的非常感谢你们对网上一个陌生人的牵挂和关心，我记在心里的

[shidi53]

不管成功失败，你永远都是我心中最了不起的真正的铁人！

[dev]

Proud of you always! You are an Ironman !

[kentridge]

the journey never ends. this is just beginning. 敬礼

[polebear]

It's all right!
You don't know what had happened might be a hidden bless and protection.
It's all right,
You're still my girl,
My heroine!

Hug, hug, hug....

[严惠姗]

我一直惦记着你的比赛，刚从光盐行者那里看到“跟踪了一下佛罗里达大铁比赛的实况。我们俱乐部有两位选手参加这个比赛，两人水平都比我高很多。令人惊讶的是，平常能够一小时十几分结束游泳的那位我的同龄人，今天游了一小时46分，估计游泳的条件非常恶劣。另外一个比我年长五岁的人，我和他一起在公开水域游过好几次，我知道他的速度比我快，每100码大概是两分钟。但是今天半程1.2英里就用了1小时05分，结果游泳被关门了。”我心里一惊，就到你这里查看。看你写的，我心里也为你难过，但看到你安安全全的，我就觉得，没关系，来日方长，你已经非常非常棒了。赶紧让腰好好恢复。不管成功失败，你永远都是我心中最了不起的真正的铁人！妇女楷模！

[忘忧草燕子]

pat-pat 落花，看网上说今年游泳不容易，很多人游泳被关门，正准备上网查查落花的情况就看到落花发的文章，结果固然重要，但落花每天的坚持努力的过程给我的启示和正能量更深远，在我心中你已经是ironman了。