20 Miles of Hope and 6 Miles of Reality “I am not the only LIFE student to accomplish an Ironman, nor will I be the last. But my goal in sharing this is to make students realize the power of setting a goal and achieving it.” Life University chiropractic student, Ben Cavaliere, competed in the Florida Ironman Triathlon on November 3, 2007. Sponsored by Life’s Athletic Department, he finished the race in 12 hours, 56 minutes and 57 seconds. This is Ben’s story. It’s the day before the Florida Ironman competition, and the streets of Panama City Beach are crowded with the most physically fit people from across the nation. I keep going over my nutrition and pacing strategy for tomorrow. I want to save up my energy, but I can’t resist a quick swim in the Gulf of Mexico before meeting up with my family for a pasta dinner. My mom told me that my racing events bring the whole family together, which makes me cherish the time I spend with them even more. After all, tomorrow will be one of the biggest days of my life. The alarm sounds at 4 a.m. I arrive at the race site by 5, and start loading my gear bags. I have two transition bags, one from swimming to biking and the other from biking to running. The bags are filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, nutrition bars, extra supplies and motivational notes from my wife, Cheryl. I put on my wetsuit and hurry to meet Cheryl on the beach before the race begins. I will never forget standing here, looking out at the flat ocean with the line of buoys far out into the water. Kayakers and boats are all over the place and a helicopter is flying low, dominating the sound of the crowd. With minutes left before the race begins, I run to the starting mats and await the sound of the cannon to go off. We all dive in at once. The swim is an intense, giant washing machine of legs and arms. There are 2,200 swimmers all jockeying for a position. As my laps take me back toward the beach, I can see the sun coming up over the hotels when I come up for breaths. The draft of the swim and the buoyancy of my wetsuit make me cut through the top of the water like a knife. After one hour and nineteen minutes, multiple collisions with others, my swim goggles getting kicked off my face several times and a swift kick to the head, I finish the first leg of the race. I quickly change in the transition tent and begin the 112 mile bike ride. Everyone comments on my Life University cycling jersey – the spine down my back is a big hit. I keep my pace reserved at the beginning as I start my nutrition and hydration plan. I have practiced this many times before. The last 20 miles are straight into a head wind. I tame my emotions because I still have the marathon to run. After six hours and 25 minutes, averaging 17.4 mph, I finish the bike segment of the race. I pass my bike off to a volunteer and sit down to get into my running gear. I feel great, and the training has paid off. As I start the run, I see my brother and sisters right away waiting for me. They run beside me for a bit. The aid stations are at every mile and my strategy is to run to each station, and walk through them eating, drinking, and keeping myself cool with ice and water. Finally I am halfway through the marathon, mile thirteen. I can feel blisters forming and my feet are really starting to hurt. I decide to slow down and finish the race by walking the last five miles. All this changes when I see a message of encouragement from my family show up on a timing chute at mile 20. I have always heard about the marathon portion of an Ironman being 20 miles of hope and six miles of reality. I’ve just hit reality. I get a second wind and have no idea where it is coming from. I am now running faster than when I started. My body keeps telling me to stop, but my mind is pushing me harder. The announcer calls out “Ironman” as I cross the finish line well into the darkness of the night. A volunteer catches me. He is asking me questions, but I can’t even remember my race number. I have completed the toughest, single day endurance event and gave it my best effort. I have pictured this moment many times and always wondered what it would feel like. My success is a result of the decisions and sacrifices I’ve made to accomplish my goal. I reached my goal while balancing family life and maintaining a Dean’s List grade point average. I am not the only LIFE student to accomplish an Ironman, nor will I be the last. But my goal in sharing this is to make students realize the power of setting a goal and achieving it. Ironman is something I have always wanted to be a part of, and now it is a part of me. Ben was recently appointed secretary for the Cycling club beginning in January, 2008. He hopes to recruit more members in the Triathlon club on campus. Ben plans to run the Georgia ING Marathon in March with his wife, and to finish another Ironman or half-Ironman Distance Triathlon. Life University encourages students to fulfill their innate potential and engage in a quest for self-discovery. Ben is an example of Life University’s efforts to promote optimal performance and lifelong intellectual growth. The University’s athletics are designed to provide students with new and exciting competitive experiences outside of the classroom and on the field of competition.
