Sunday, October 17, 2010

Where in the world is Melissa Daly


It's been more than 3 months since my last blog entry which is so not like me.
Blogging is cheap therapy and gets all those crazy thoughts that float around my
head down on digital paper. For me, it is a record of the journey I still face
and the beautiful, rewarding, painful and disappointment moments in this quest
for Ironman.

My life in the last months has been somewhat removed from the world of triathlon
and a bit more focused on things near and dear to me. Go back a few entries in
my blog and you will note the 10 weeks of my summer focused on treating my
eating disorder. In that time I lost 30 pounds. I am approaching two months at
home away from treatment and have kept the weight off. It has been a struggle
as old habits will often creep back into your life when you have worked to
create new ones....but I have been consistent... Definitely not perfect but
very consistent.

I also had the opportunity to travel to Europe for 10 glorious days with 4 of my
dearest friends and with my sweet hubby. We visited 5 countries in 9 days (
Spain, Italy,France, Vatican City and Monaco) and celebrated our 25th wedding
anniversary. This year my husband and I also attended (or are about to attend)
our 25th college class reunions...another special milestone in our lives.

In this non Ironman year I have also had the honor of helping my parents plan
their 5th trip around the world. As they enter into their 80's, it is heart
warming and exciting to watch them continue to enjoy the one passion they have
pasted on to me...exploring the world. I use to tell people I spent 20 years as
a travel agent to keep track of my constantly moving parents... And this year, I
got to revisit that feeling.

2010 also brought on my first major injury in over 10 years of triathlon. A torn
meniscus and a floating piece of cartilage in my left knee took me out of racing
in April but I didn't stay out for long. 2 weeks after surgery, I did the swim
leg of the Gulf Coast Triathlon in a 3 person relay and slowly worked my way
back into racing with the completion of The Nations Triathlon with a personal
record. Thanks to Dr. Susan Ott for fixing my knee and getting back in the game.


Life without Ironman felt foreign for awhile. Let's face it.. It has been the
focus of a good part of my world for 3 years now but the break has help me to
recharge, refocus, renew and resurrect this life goal. At the end of 2009 and
the ever so close missed bike cut off at Ironman Florida, I was emotionally
burned out. There were several friends and family ( including my dear parents)
who pleaded with me to let this dream die. My mother to this day states that
Ironman is a "man's sport" and a lady has no business attempting such as this...
But ....if you're a triathlete, you understand..... The call of the finish line
is simply too great..

As I sit on this 9 hour flight home from Barcelona, my sabbatical is now over. I
have spent my year focused on husband, family and getting myself into a better
physical and emotional place. I have achieved many of my goals for this year and
it's only October but as the first week of November approaches, a new year dawns
for me...Ironman Florida 2011 is a little more than 1 year away.

Some people suggested that a new venue for my first completed Ironman might be
in order but there is no way that would be an option for me. I have a dragon to
slay in Panama City .... A few personal demons to lay to rest on that flat windy
bike course... And lord knows.. I just want to get to the run...

So.. If you are racing Ironman Florida, look for me on the course as I plan to
volunteer anywhere and everywhere so I can to cheer on those that are about to
attain the dream that I hold so dear. Each of you are heroes to me because I
truly understand what you have sacrificed to make this dream a reality. You
will also find me in line to sign up for that shot at my own dream in 2011....

See you soon in Panama City.....

3 comments:

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

Good for you on the weight loss. That was your only "key" left to unlock Iron dream hope chest and pull out the long anticipated prize.

Tell Mom Ironman is a way of life... not a sport. (just saying)

LauraLynne said...

So good to hear you're doing well!! And looking awesome! I'm excited to follow your progress and hope that you'll share some of your inpatient journey with the world - I am still battling a lot of demons.

LauraLynne

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

And,
I am working body marking again prior to racing this year at IMFL, so.... come on down and make BM your first stop and we will have a party at 4:45am