Mirjam Weerd World Championships Ironman 2013

It's time...

The past five years there has been one race on my mind. Not so much in de front. Mostly in the back. But is has been there since I've finished my first full IRONMAN in Kona as an agegrouper: one day I wanted to return to the startline as a professional triathlete and I wanted to make it count.

I'm now only hours away from the moment of actually toeing that startline. And all I can think of now is the journey I made to get here. I don't so much think about the sacrefices. They are all worth it. I think more about all the people I've met. The things I've seen. What I've learned and experienced. And the people who have stood by me the whole time.

People I've met along the way and put or offered a roof over my head: Lisa and Eric Rehberg, Anne and Allen Brasier, Joe from Syracuse, Melissa and Heath Townsend, Robyn and Sandy Kellin, Robyn and Frank Paraschi and Fabian Conrad. Thank you all so much. It has meant so much to me...

Trainers and coaches along the way:
Chris Brands, Rik van Trigt, Fedor Hes, Thomas Vonach and Gonny Rosendaal. Each of you learnt me things that paved the way to get to the Kona startline. You're all unique people and caracters and you all have something to give and teach to make it possible for an athlete to grow.

Special trainingpartners:
Yvonne van Vlerken, Heleen bij de Vaate, Heidi Sessner. I'm grateful and honoured to have trained with you, get to know you better and learn from you. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Sponsors:
Davilex, Trek, ON running, Rudy Project, Xendurance, Zwempakshop.nl, Kok wooncentrum, Powerbar, 2XU, Continental, Bikeshop Amersfoort, Ortho-Vision, Arena and Endurance Sport Travel. Thank you for believing in me and helping me financially and/or with the best triathlongear I could ever wish for! You are a big part of making my dream come through!

Medical team:
Jacqueline Stoel and Jessica Gal. You're support, professionalism and topsport experience gives me so much extras. Thank you for the confidence in me and for taking care of my body and sometimes mind ;-).

Supportive people:
All the fans and social media friends who shared their experiences with me. Who send me messages to support or have supported me in my crowdfunding campaign bij WijzijnSport.nl this last summer. It means so much to have a huge supportcrew. It's motivating and inspiring. And I thank you for that.

Family and friends:
Last but not least my parents who have stood by me with every step I took. As well as my boyfriend Rick who has endured a lot these past five years, but who has been the most supportive boyfriend I ever could ask for. If it wasn't for Rick who told me to persue my dream and just go for it, I would not be here...

Whatever the day will bring, I know I did everything within my power to be as fit as I can be. The race itself is unpredictable and my aim is to get to finishline as fast as I possibly can.

Big hug from Mirjam