.

This has to be one of the best moments of my life. Little did I know at the time, how much would change in a single year. It has taken me some time to post anything or even look at this picture, but here it goes.

This picture was taken right after I crossed the finish line to win the Muskoka Ironman and qualify myself for the Ironman World Championships. At the finish, I was greeted by my parents and received a well earned hug from my dad. This photo captures so much but it also leaves out so much. It captures all the love and gratitude I have for my dad. It also captures how proud he was of me. What it doesn't capture are all the sacrifices he made so that I could get to enjoy this one moment. It doesn't capture all the suffering, arguments, life lessons, late worrisome nights or "what are we going to do with him?" moments. This picture captures the pure joy of a single accomplishment. For my dad, I hope that this moment made all those other more challenging moments worth it.

There is no way I would have ever got to this place without the love, support, and guidance of my dad. He instilled his love of sports in me. He helped me buy my first racing bike (and the second!). He got me into this crazy sport of triathlon. He encouraged me when no one believed in me. And he is the reason I am sitting in Hawaii right now, preparing to race at the Ironman World Championships.

I remember sitting and watching the Ironman on T.V. with my dad. I remember him always saying how he wanted to compete here in Hawaii. He never got that chance. However, I have the opportunity to compete here in this very special place. I get to swim in Kailua Bay, ride the Queen K, and run down Ali'i Drive.

On Saturday, I will line up against 3000 of the best Ironman athletes in the world. I know that I will not get to share a moment like that in the picture with him when I cross the line on Ali'i Drive, but I believe that he will be with me out on that course supporting me as he always did. It tears me apart that he will not be here. However, I will do everything in my power to get to that line and honour my dad in the best way that I can. I will cross that line for my dad.