And then sometimes it clicks. And all is well with the world.

11 weeks.

Let me say that again. 

76 days until I become IronMeg.

I could blog about 57890345876 things.  I could spend paragraphs telling you how tired I am.  I could spend hours telling you how much I LOVE seeing my swimming get better.  I could tell you some numbers rant that doesn't matter.  The list goes on of what I 'could' say. 

This post is sponsored by the fact my room looks like this: running clothes and shoes galore.
No.  Shame.

But today I am here to blog my heart on this community I have jumped head first into.
You see.  A few weeks ago I kept getting asked 'why?' Why am I doing this dang thing.  And I SERIOUSLY had no answer.  No great reason of why I signed up.

Lemme tell you how this went down.  I got the email the week of Augusta last year that said 'priority registration for IMCHATT 2015'.  I saw it and said to myself, 'Self.  You're gonna sign up ok? ok.'  So.  I talk it through with dad on the way to the race.  $700 of Meg money later.  I was in for an experience I won't ever forget.

Mel sent me this when I was down to 80 days--this is me moments after signing up.  If I only knew..

SO.  $700 simply isn't enough motivation for me to finish a race.  To endure the high volume training.  To be at mile 96 and still have 20 more miles left before a marathon. To wake up to swim after a long ride. SO.  What is still inspiring me?  I knew there was SOMETHING but I couldn't connect the dots.  I knew it would come together.  And.  Today.  Today on my long ride it did.

Emma (work bestie turned to one of my real life best friends), Robin, Karen, and myself.  Robin and Karen are keeping me alive at work because they are part of the few that have done this dang thing!

You see.  There's not one person I'm doing this for.  The cliché saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' is the philosophy I live daily.  Every weekend; most days there is someone with me.  Someone giving of their time to coordinate with my tightly woven schedule to train with me.  Yes I am aware my friends always need training and love it blah blah.  But.  I need to adequately express my thankfulness for the community around me.  For every person who comes into contact with me.

You are a part of my finish line.  No cheesiness.  No lame squish-y moments.  Seriously.  That is what I think about on my long rides.  My long runs.  The countless amounts of people who are for me.  Who are going to be running that marathon with me in spirit.  Who are pulling me along that bike course telling me how great I look even if I am going 5 mph up these hills I keep hearing about (GAH!!!). From my friends who will ride 80 miles alongside me, to my work friends who have to put up with my weekly; daily; hourly rants over how tired/hungry/sad/happy I am every second.  You are why I am racing.  You are what is making this process not treacherous, but one that I will look back on and see how blessed  I really am.

I told myself I wasn't going to do a mush-y love post until I finished.  But my 'clicking' over why I am doing this happened today and I needed to share.  I need to express my thankfulness for this community.  These few pictures are just a  TASTE of the amount of people on my side ready to cheer me on that day and already doing so the days/weeks/months leading up to it. That's a LOT of people for one girl, and this one girl can't even begin to say how much I LOVE my community.

I feel like so many people deserve a 'you especially', but one particular girl deserves a novel.  But.  Instead a silly post will have to do. My roomie.  My bestie.  If I had to choose one person, it would be you (well..you and my padre' hehe).  Despite how much I get to inspire you, you inspire me and then some.  Thanks for letting the house not look like my room.  I wouldn't have made it this far in life without you.  From elementary school to now; we have always been a duo, and March 5th, when your parents hand you off; I feel like I get to be a part of the 'handing off' to Andrew, and I wouldn't want anyone else to 'take' you.  So.  Sappy moment to say I love my bestie.  The end.

cuz we cute and love random trips around town when we can.