Daring to Dream: IRONMAN Texas As You’ve Never Seen Before

Written and illustrated by Christopher Cudworth

Call them the society of believers. The fans of IRONMAN. The support crews. Family. Friends. Fiancees. Children. Dogs. The more than occasional strangers calling out names in inspired fashion.

The gathering begins in IRONMAN Village. Talk of weather and water temperature. Lines and registration. Decisions at the IRONMAN store. Holding plastic bags. Numbers. Tickets. Stickers for bikes, helmets and more bags. 

Friendships renew. “I saw you in….” These greetings speak of the day’s efforts and those before. Athletes pull bikes and IRONMAN Sherpas tote supplies or push strollers, hold dog leashes, and feed children.

This is the community of believers, defined by diversity. Anything is possible. 

Race day comes after swim practice and shakeouts. Darkness reigns. Lights glare. Transition comes alive like an ant colony. Music blares. Announcers call the session to order. Guns boom. Pros and age-groupers take off. The fans move, gathering at key points. Sharing stories. Magic comes in many forms. 

People stare at phones tracking initials on dodgy maps. The race proceeds. The best athletes sling past. So fast. 

Another IRONMAN day. 

As a community of believers, not all get their wishes fulfilled. There will be other days. Even those who do––still have questions to answer. There are always some of those. The day wears on, and people get fed somehow, while the athletes suck down gels and drink as if every step depends on it. And it does. The swim and bike are over. The run proceeds. 

“Find your pace,” a bystander calls, and gets a nod. The nod of knowing. That’s the only way to do it. Step by step.

The finish crowd grows thick. The IRONMAN announcer calls out names. 

If luck is with them, athletes roll in shaking fists and making memories,

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN! 

Fulfilling dreams and feeling it to the bone. This is never easy. 

The Mylar blankets await. A FINISHER medal. Not for all. Not always. But for most. That makes the sport so real for everyone. Athletes. Family. Friends. The more than occasional stranger offering good wishes. The community of believers. 

All because people care to dream, and dare to. 

Find out more about Christopher Cudworth at christophercudworth.com