Coming off the high

My last day in Placid was filled with packing, an Olympic sports simulation and tour of the ice rinks, walking around town and shopping, and QT with some fam and friends.  It was a beautiful day last Wed, and of course was the day to leave, sigh.  Wanted to go to a watering hole or paddle board or hike or swim...anything outside. 

We got in the car to finally leave town, and I got quiet.  Mike knew something was up and asked what was wrong.  I just said I'm really really sad to leave Placid.  And I was.  I still am.  Driving off was really difficult, and that may sound childish like I don't want to leave vacation, but I did feel immediate sadness.

Sad because I simply love it there.  It is beautiful, serene, fun, and now filled with a very special memory of my first Ironman - something that will never be tainted and always extremely special as one of the biggest days in my life.  I loved Placid before I ever knew I would be an Ironman, from working the marathon up there.  I loved it when I went up to train in May.  And now I love it that much more.

I mean heck it is a place filled with greatness.  How can you not be in awe thinking about the 1980 Winter Games?  "Do you believe in miracles?!?!"  Fantastic memory and of course movie.  And the '32 games also hosted in this magical place.  You see the Legends of the Oval, and tour the Olympic facilities and feel the power of the Olympics.  Call me nostalgic and yes I love the Olympics, but that is something amazing.

And we, as Ironmen, get to be on these grounds to compete in an endurance race beyond so many of us.  To test ourselves with 2700 of our "closest" friends.  Oh and don't forget that our last yards of the Ironman are run in the Olympic Oval, to finish the race we set out to start at 7 am.  Nothing short of amazing.  Not to mention, this year's IM was right before the 2012 Olympics.  I got chills thinking about it.

But the IM aside, the scenery is beautiful and there is just something about that place I loved from the first day I ever arrived there.  I felt similar about Hawaii, Scranton (laugh if you will, but it felt like home for college), the Outerbanks, and Estonia. 

AND not only was I very sad to leave Placid, in the days since I've been home and settling back into "real life" I have become more sad.  Sad that the experience is over, for now.  To devote so much time to this huge personal goal and have the day itself be such a big high point in my life is...wonderful, fabulous, indescribable.  And now it's over.  Talk about your adrenaline dump.  Mike says he was worried this would happen, and I was a little too.  But how do you prepare for that?  I don't think I could've. 

This takes nothing away from my day and accomplishment, it couldn't.  It is just a little sad.  Is this normal?  I'd like to think so.  I asked my IM friends and coach.  Verdict seems to be in my favor, that I'm not crazy (despite what you may think!). 

What next?  Who knows, I'm not too worried about that.  No, there will not be an IM next year.  My boyfriend, family, friends, myself, and especially my wallet need a break.  Maybe some other tri's, maybe a marathon?  Don't know yet.  Maybe gymnastics?  Yes, you read that right.  More on that later, Mike Massimini style. 

Monday was the icing on the cake.  Back to work after being off to recoop last week.  I think it just made me really feel it.  I'm ok, don't get me wrong, just wish I could always relive that day.  Good thing I have amazing people to remind me how proud of me they are :)  And waiting on pictures and videos!  And the wonderful gifts I got and things people have done for me.

Coming off the high and having the adrenaline dump are real issues, but I'm fine.  I'll get over it.  I'll have that next thing in to focus on.  But nothing will replace this experience and Lake Placid will always be a special place in my heart, and I will always love both and treasure July 22, 2012. 

So I never published this...don't really know why...but as this "depression" as I called my IM letdown last for awhile...longer than I anticipated.  Probably longer than a month.  But all is well of course.  I think just having dedicated the better part of year to an incredible goal will do that to you.  Reading what I wrote then brings me back, and I will never, ever forget the incredible journay I took.  How could I? 

"Finish Line Fever" is a real thing, folks.  People may think we triathletes are nuts, but I gotta tell you there is nothing quite like it.  It's our drug of choice, and I'm blessed to have experienced it...and will again, hopefully in 2014 ;)