My Husband Rocks!

I posted this originally on May 25, but I am reposting a portion of it again, because I am so proud of my husband and I am proud to say "My Husband Rocks!" I am entering into a writing contest, so if you've read this before, thank you for understanding.  

My husband is amazing. He completed his first Ironman about 3 weeks ago and this is the account of the day from my perspective, from the perspective of his #1 fan.

The morning started out at 4:30am, in which, of course, thanks to boot camp, I have grown accustomed to. I rode with Patrick's parents to the swim start. We got a little turned around so we barely made it down there in time to see Patrick before he got in the water. But I am so thankful that we did, more for my sake, than his. I told him good luck and that I loved him, etc. And this is where I will digress for a bit... You see, Patrick is a unique personality. If you know anything about personality tests, he is an INTJ (Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging). This personality is apparently rare and knowing about it has really helped me understand him better. Some of the aspects about this personality is that they highly value efficiency and pragmatic thinking, they do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and are not impressed by slogans or catchwords. Patrick is internally motivated and while he appreciates the encouragement from others, it will not make or break his race. I had no doubt in my mind that Patrick would finish the race. I know there aren't enough words in the world to change the outcome for him — he was going to finish it because he had put in the time and knew exactly what he needed to do for the race. But I am thankful to have been able to say tell him he was going to do great one last time and I am thankful that his mom got this picture of us. 

Patrick and I before the race began

After the picture, we headed back to the other side of the bridge to watch the (2.4 mi) mass swim start. It was amazing to witness. Patrick said it was by far crazier than he had anticipated and was glad to just get it over with!

All 2200 racers funneling into the water

Patrick is seriously a machine and calculates everything. He is prepared for plan A, but without a second thought will go to Plan B, C or D if need be. One thing he forgot was to put his speedometer on his race wheels the night before. It made it harder for him to stay within the speed that he had planned for which ended up making the marathon much more difficult. Well, he told people that morning, after realizing that he broken his own rule of not showing up at a race with something unchecked or untested, that he was "Doing it wrong, all day long." He didn't panic, he just rolled with it. It was his first Ironman, and he knew that it wasn't going to be perfect.

Finishing the 112 mile ride

Off the bike, headed to transition, and of course with a smile

My smiling Ironman

His support crew

Meadow, Saige and cousin Steven

Running alongside - you know, just doing my part

Whether he meant to or not, he encouraged and inspired me and many others. At one point during the run portion, I turned around and there were nearly 20 people standing there ready to cheer him in on, all sporting Team Patrick shirts. It overwhelmed me at one point and I teared up. I really appreciate each and everyone of you that came out to support my Ironman. It meant a lot to me and to our family.

Two of his biggest fans

I don't have very good pictures from the finish because it was CRAZY crowded. But Brenda got these of Saige with her hand out, waiting to give her Daddy a high-five.

People have often asked me if it was hard on our family with all of the training that he had to do. But I am so thankful to be able to say no. Patrick never let the training get in the way. He never chose training over his family. His faith and his family are his priority and I never felt like he was skirting responsibility for the sake of the Ironman. In fact, he included us in this choice, and it has been a family affair from the start. He really involved us in this pursuit and was very considerate of how it could take a toll on all of us.  So seeing him cross the finish line and hearing them say, "Patrick Wimberly, you are an Ironman," was so awesome. I screamed and screamed and of course cried. All of that emotion and investment just came bubbling up and overflowed. I was so proud of his achievement because our entire family has been with him along the way. I was so proud to see all that hard work pay off, not just for his sake, but for what it taught me and what it will teach our children. Patrick never wants to waste anything that he has been given and he is an excellent role model. The imagery of running the race and fighting the good fight that Paul talks about in 2 Timothy 4:7 is the image he keeps in the forefront of his mind. His drive to do his best with his God-given talents, all for God's glory, is what inspires and spurs me on. 

I was totally overwhelmed when he finished.

It looks like we're a one child family. Ha!

Love this shot. The girls were so proud of their Daddy.

Needless to say, we are proud of our Ironman. And if he chooses to do another one, I would support him all the way. Even if it means I get another necklace out of the ordeal. 

The gorgeous James Avery necklace Patrick bought me for being his Ironwife

~cheryl~

Ironman Texas

It sounds so cliche, but I don't even know where to begin. So I decided I am just going to tell you what the Ironman was like from my perspective and not try to break it down from Patrick's. It was, after all, his race.
The morning started out at 4:30am, in which, of course, thanks to boot camp, I have grown accustomed to. I rode with Patrick's parents, Mark and Brenda to the swim start. We got a little turned around so we barely made it down there in time to see Patrick before he got in the water. But I am so thankful that we did, more for my sake, than his. I told him good luck and that I loved him, etc. And this is where I will digress for a bit... You see, Patrick is a unique personality. If you know anything about personality tests, he is an INTJ (Introverted Intuitive Thinking Judging). This personality is apparently rare and knowing about it has  really helped me understand him better. Some of the aspects about this personality is that they highly value efficiency and pragmatic thinking, they do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and are not impressed by slogans or catchwords. Patrick is internally motivated and while he appreciates the encouragement from others, it will not make or break his race. I had no doubt in my mind that Patrick would finish the race. I know there aren't enough words in the world to change the outcome for him — he was going to finish it because he had put in the time and knew exactly what he needed to do for the race. But I am thankful to have been able to say tell him he was going to do great one last time and I am thankful that his mom got this picture of us. 

Patrick and I before the race began

Jeff, Patrick and Bobby

Chris, Jeff, Patrick, Bobby, Demi, and Jama

(Chris and Demi are married btw - amazing IronCouple!)

After the picture, we headed back to the other side of the bridge to watch the (2.4 mi) swim start. It was crazy and really cool to witness. Patrick said it was by far crazier than he had anticipated and was glad to just get it over with!

All 2200 racers funneling into the water

Patrick is seriously a machine and calculates everything. He is prepared for plan A, but without a second thought will go to Plan B, C or D if need be. One thing he forgot was to put his speedometer on his race wheels the night before. It made it harder for him to stay within the speed that he had planned for which ended up making the marathon much more difficult. Well, he told people that morning, after realizing that he broken his own rule of not showing up at a race with something unchecked or untested, that he was "Doing it wrong, all day long." He didn't panic, he just rolled with it. It was his first Ironman, and he knew that it wasn't going to be perfect.

Finishing the 112 mile ride

Off the bike, headed to transition, and of course with a smile

My smiling Ironman

His support crew

Meadow, Saige and cousin Steven

Running alongside - you know, just doing my part

Whether he meant to or not, he encouraged and inspired me and many others. At one point during the run portion, I turned around and there were nearly 20 people standing there ready to cheer him in on, all sporting Team Patrick shirts. It overwhelmed me at one point and I teared up. I really appreciate each and everyone of you that came out to support my Ironman. It meant a lot to me and to our family.

Two of his biggest fans

Reed and Mimi

I don't have very good pictures from the finish because it was CRAZY crowded. But Brenda got these of Saige with her hand out, waiting to give her Daddy a high-five.

People have often asked me if it was hard on our family with all of the training that he had to do. But I am so thankful to be able to say no. Patrick never let the training get in the way. He never chose training over his family. I never felt like he was skirting responsibility for the sake of the Ironman. In fact, he included us in this choice, and it has been a family affair from the start. He really involved us in this pursuit and was very considerate of how it could take a toll on all of us.  So seeing him cross the finish line and hearing them say, "Patrick Wimberly, you are an Ironman," was so awesome. I screamed and screamed and cried (and the random strangers around me cheered with me when they realized it was my husband - pretty cool). All of that emotion and investment just came bubbling up and overflowed. I was so proud of his achievement because our entire family has been with him along the way. I was so proud to see all that hard work pay off, not just for his sake, but for what it taught me and what it will teach our children. Patrick never wants to waste anything that he has been given and he is an excellent role model. His drive to do his best with his God-given talents, all for God's glory, is what inspires and spurs me on. 

I was totally overwhelmed when he finished.

What does an Ironman do when he's done? He sits.

Maybe a father/son Ironman race in 20 years?

It looks like we're a one child family. Ha!

Love this shot. The girls were so proud of their Daddy.

Needless to say, we are proud of our Ironman. And if he chooses to do another one, I would support him all the way. Even if it means I can get another necklace out of the ordeal.

The gorgeous James Avery necklace Patrick bought me for being his Ironwife

~cheryl~

I am married to an Ironman

Patrick's mom, who was, of course, his very first fan, made these signs to hang at their office. Isn't that a great picture?!

Well, I have TONS of pictures to sort through and I just haven't had time. Because, well, you know I have 3 kids and life continues for them. So I am going through the pictures and working on a post. But I wanted to put this video up of the swim start because the mass start is crazy! At the time I was filming it, I had no idea if Patrick was even in the water, because they shot the gun off before everyone had a chance to get in. But I found out later that he was indeed in the water and he said it was absolutely insane. I will get back with the rest of the race once I have sorted through the pictures. But enjoy this video for now!

~cheryl~

WYPW {On Thursday}

It's that time again, folks. What's Your Point? Wednesday

We are in full race mode as a family. Monday was a normal day. Tuesday felt like it was getting closer but by Wednesday, the reality was sinking in. Wednesday began all of the official events leading up to the race on Saturday.

The spot where his bike will be. #1142

 I went with Patrick and his friend, Jeff, yesterday morning to check-in and pick up their race packets. And let me tell you. If you want to be inspired or completely intimidated then the Ironman village is the place to be. There were so many people that looked like they could eat me for breakfast. I left that afternoon wanting to go for a 100 mile run or something. It was definitely an energetic atmosphere — full of smiles, excitement and fear. One guy I talked to told me how nervous he was about the heat and that since this was his first one, he didn't know what to expect, etc. I was encouraging him and telling him that he would do great, all the while thinking, my husband is going to kick your butt. Is that bad? 

The girls and I have been making posters for the race. Saige and Meadow colored theirs in yesterday and they are so proud of them. Saige asked me if I thought Daddy would like it, and I told her of course because she made it. You should have seen her smile. She is totally smitten by her Daddy. Meadow's sign is crazy, which is of course, appropriate.

Patrick has a new cereal that he eats everyday, sometimes twice a day. It used to be Grape Nuts but for the past 6 months or so it has been Wheaties Fuel. (I am NOT getting paid by Wheaties but if they so happen to come across this, then I would be more than happy to take a years supply worth to fuel my Ironman). There is another boy in our house that likes it too. In fact, it is sometimes the only thing he will eat. He likes it so much, he wants to feed himself just like Daddy and will gently remove my hand from the bowl if I try to help him. I am ALL about independence in this house, but what is a bonus is if they're actually pretty efficient at it and don't make a mess. This is what it used to look like after I would leave Reed alone to eat his cereal.

But thankfully he has actually gotten quite good at getting the spoon to his mouth and he'll even drink the milk from the bowl instead of dumping it out.  

That's my big boy!

A dear, dear friend our family's, Ms. Dianna (or Ms. Dina, according to the girls) is always so thoughtful. The other day she dropped off at our front door, gifts for the kids. And they were perfect for each one of them. She got Reed an Elmo rake because the kids are always wanting to dig in our front yard and he has never had his own tool and has to use their Dora shovels.

She got Meadow a butterfly. I mean, seriously, doesn't this picture say it all?

And she got Saige, the studious one, a coloring book. 

The beautiful thing is that she knows each of them. She knows them well enough to know what they like and they weren't even a little jealous of what the other siblings got. They were excited about them all but when it came down to it, they were all content to play with what they were given. We love you very much, Ms. Dina!

Happy WYPW!

~cheryl~