Meet Rebecca. My sister. My seester. Speedy Gonzales likes my seester… Speedy Gonzales likes eeeverybody’s seester. Rebecca Biakabatuka. Rebecca Lynn. Becca Boo. My Becca. (Her husband also refers to her as ”My Becca”, but I’ve known her longer. <nyah>)
Rebecca is my sister. (You probably already realized that.) My funny, patient, smart, beautiful, wonderful sister. She’s coming to see me next week to join me on my journey. To be a part of it, whatever “it” may turn out to be.
When I write this blog, I typically think of her as my audience. Our dad says that Rebecca trained me when we were young to entertain her. Seems to be true. I do enjoy being a storyteller, although sometimes it feels weird to share personal thoughts and dreams here for the world to see. There’s a fear of being judged by others. But Becca won’t judge. She’ll laugh at me for sure, but that’s pretty much the point, after all.
I’m thrilled she’s coming out here, but sad that I feel I might let her down. There have been a myriad of injuries, thus very few blog posts. (How do you write about training for an Ironman when you aren’t even training?) Anyway, I mention this to my mother that Rebecca’s coming all the way here and has expectations and you know what she said? My mom said,
“…when we knew you were going to do the Ironman, Rebecca told me that she had to go to be with you. That’s what sisters do, they support one another no matter what. You both are so very lucky to have each other.”
Oh man, that gets me. (tear)
So I’ve been thinking about the journey as opposed to the actual event. The pursuit of becoming an Ironman instead of just the finish line. And I keep thinking that the most significant piece is who has been with me through this. I have had so many fantastic training partners, friends, cheerleaders. Thank you all for listening to me, supporting me, and believing in me – no matter what. And now my Becca is coming all the way from Ohio to be a part of the journey along with some amazing friends from Seattle who have become my family. And I AM so very lucky.
If I got to Seattle, and you wanted to do nothing but sit on the couch for 5 days & eat Doritos & sour cream, instead of doing an Ironman- I’d say ‘where’s the beer?’. Let me translate that- you cannot let me down.
And now I’m hungry for Doritos, dammit!
Oh good thinking! Let’s do that instead!