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Source: Tracy Korn
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Here at the edge of it I must remind myself that there are things that I have learned, things that have not come easily – things for which I went hunting, for which I have sacrificed, and which will not abandon me. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and knowing this, I will be ready.

By 6:00 a.m. I have swum the three miles that many will never even walk in their lifetimes. I have known what it is to stand at the foot of a monolith race, quiver at the sight of it, and then kneel before it to pick up my axe. I have steadied my hands and fixed my focus, and I have swung like hell until it all came tumbling down. Then, still quivering, I have walked over the rubble of it, and wept for much more than the accomplishment.

Of the elements, there is no weather that has hindered my forward progress. There is only the kind that has fired and hardened my will - only the kind that has inspired the rebellious and insubordinate child inside of me. I have spit in the face of the rain and I have lit up the sky with a mile of curses and defiant speeches, and for it, I have been drenched until my soul dripped. But I have kept on pedaling. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and knowing all of this, I will be ready.

Finally, I understand that there is nothing still until I have heard 4,000 foot-falls, and that after so long it is not my legs that will carry me. Time and time again I have been reborn in the smiles that I have received. And with every understood thank you that I have delivered because it was all that I could do to breathe, I have cultivated a faith in humanity. I will succeed because I have come too far. I have worked too hard, and because I have no choice, as I have burned the bridge leading back to all that I used to be.

On occasion I have crossed the threshold of my potential, and standing there, have seen ten-thousand places where I have not yet been. Therefore, I will not look back. I will not question and I will not doubt. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and here again at the edge of it I will take a deep breath, and I will go forward.

For reminded of all of this, I know that I am ready.

Tracy Korn
Tracy is a language assistance program coordinator and English teacher at an alternative high school for at risk students in the Midwest. She is currently training for Ironman Wisconsin, 2007. Contact information: tracy@throughth3wall.com.