A great IronMan Poem by Monica Barnes for Patty

The following poem is entitled. "Oh! The Places You'll Go! Lovingly plagarised from Dr. Seuss for Monica's great friend Patty." Monica modified the original version for Patty Infusino. Patty experienced SIPE (Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema) in 2010 at Oliver and came back last year to race IMC, then PB'd in Boston earlier this year. In July this year she had to pull herself out of the Penticton Olympic distance because of SIPE, but raced IMC very well last week. Although her race didn't go as she hoped (2 flat tires), she pulled off a great time and has signed up for two full distance Ironmans next year. Enjoy the poem everyone.

OH! THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
Congratulations!
Now is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the girl who’ll decide where to go.

Inside your chest beats
a champion’s heart
that will quiver that moment you
take your place at the start.

You’ll look up and down the beach. Look it over with care.
About some spots you’ll say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your arms full of might
You’ll head out in the water, the buoys on your right.

Before you will know it
You’ve barely been wet
and out of that wetsuit
You’ll be needing to get.

With brains in your head and your feet in your shoes
And shoes in their clips it will be time to cruise

Getting comfy on P3
You’ll put your head down
You’ll head out on the course
You’ll head straight out of town

Its opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO

You’ll be on your way up!
Kona in your sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to great heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Whatever your cadence, you’ll be at your best.
Whatever your heart rate, you’ll keep up with the rest!

Except when you don’t.
Because sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but sadly, its true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all way-laid
When Iron Gods conspire
with a blowy-back headwind
or a pancake-flat tire.

You may just encounter
an unpleasant bump.
And chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You may come to a place where your doubt starts to grow
Where your Go Faster muscles simply won’t go
A place where your left foot starts to go numb
Where your come-on-legs-get going-now! rhythm won’t come
Where that Jet feels like lava rocks under your bum
Where you’d rather drink mud than Perpetuum
and to desperation you feel you’ll succumb

but…….NO!
That’s not for you!

With your IM savvy you’ll escape that dark place
And brain-it and shoe-it so you’re back in the race
Down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
that grind on for miles across weirdish wild space

Timex will testify, you’re right on track
as you tour out and back that damn Out and Back
with Richter’s and Rollers’ mere memory fading
the lava-rock bum botheration abating
you’ll scamper the Yellow Lake climb to the top
And sail down to Penticton, barely touching blacktop.

Oh, the places you’ll go! There’s a run to be done!
Negative splits to achieve! Kona spots to be won!
Heading out on Lakeshore, you’ll ramble right on
All that’s left is the marathon!
With your brains in your head and shoes on your feet
From Main to Westminster to Winnipeg Street

And on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though competitors prowl
On you will go
though your quadriceps howl
Onward to turnaround
at Christie Beach
13 miles and a bit left
heading back toward the Peach!

On and on you will race
You’ll be dexterous and deft
Spectators cheering
on your right and your left
Back in town, almost done, just meters to go
Steve King’s voice will boom “PB for Infusino”

So be sure when you step
Step with great care and grace
and remember the moments
leading up to this race.
Moments and hours and days, weeks, and years
Sacrifice, friendship, sweat, laughter, tears
and most important decisions to face up to your fears.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed).

So….
My beloved Ironbuddy, you’re off and away
Take your place with triathlon’s best on Sunday
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
Ironman Canada’s waiting
So…go seize your day.