Chapter 32 #2
I slide my feet out of my shoes and pedal on top of them and dismount cleanly before the line. A volunteer takes my bike and I unclip my helmet as my legs come around to the idea of running. It’s like coming back to land after a day at sea.
I glance up and spot Dee and her family.
“Yeah Laney!! Way to go!”
Dee’s jumping up and down holding a sign that says, Yay! You didn’t flat!
A part of me wants to stop and yell at her for even putting that idea into the universe but I don’t. I shake my head at her and jog past.
“Don’t poop your pants!” She yells and a laugh sputters out of me.
I grab my race bag and find a chair. Socks, shoes, tying the left one first and then the right, and I stuff a handful of gels into my race belt and clip it around my waist. I grab my visor and slide it over my forehead and run my hand down over my braid.
I give my quads and hamstrings a quick pounding with my fists and setting out for a marathon.
POUNDING IT
You're not allowed to listen to music while running a competitive TitaniumPerson. All you have with you are your own thoughts.
And the funny signs.
There have been some good ones but in the last two miles, a meditative state kicked in and my footfalls were synched with the syllables of one word.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
I don't fight it because it seems to be working. I check my pace against the race clocks posted every few miles and I am on-target with where I need to be at this point. I haven’t slowed down much. And, if my math is correct, there are only two athletes in front of me.
I have a chance to podium.
Looking behind me is tempting, I want to know if someone is gaining on me. But I need to run my race, at my pace, and trust my training, my instincts, and my natural talent.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
There are people lining the road cheering us on but their faces all blur together. It is a straight finish up Lake Shore Drive and it is tough to tell if I am actually moving forward. I keep my eyes on the road ahead and focus on the finish line, willing it to get closer.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
Mi-guel.
And like I have chanted him into existence I see him along the sideline. He's clapping and cheering and whooping loudly. And a smile cracks across my face.
My pace quickens as I hear, "You’ve got this, Laney girl!"
I allow our eyes to connect briefly as I stay on my path.
"You're killing it!" He yells as I move past him. And I feel my spine lift up higher. "Love seeing you run away from me!"
That one makes me smile.
The finish line is still ahead of me but seeing him here, feeling his support, is all the victory I need.
Dee and her family have moved from the transition area to the grandstands at the finish line. I know this because as the arch looms larger in front of me a dark haired blur starts jumping up and down screaming.
I don’t have much energy left to smile or laugh when I see her Yay! You have shoes on! Sign but I feel the hint of joy in my chest.
“So proud of you kiddo!” I hear and my head whips to Dee’s section and I see my mom standing next to her clapping wildly.
I nearly trip but somehow stay upright.
My mom is here.
I’m unable to process all the emotions coursing through me as I hit the iconic black and red carpet.
Heavy steps carry me forward.
As I cross the finish line I hear, “In third place Laney Matteson! Congratulations Laney, you are a TitaniumPerson!”
I smile through the exhaustion and through the pain I lift my arms overhead in victory.
Two volunteers are at my side a moment later to hold me up, wrap me in a thermal blanket and one of them slings a medal over my head.
I’m laughing and feel tears streaming down my face while they help me over to an area with folding chairs and replenishment supplies.
“Can I get an electrolyte drink?” I ask and one of them nods and heads off.
“What else can we get you Laney?” The other asks.
“My crocs please.” I laugh and she does too as she heads off to get my gear bag.
Reaching down to untie my shoes feels like an impossible task so I stay put. I lean back in the folding chair and let my limbs fall where they please.
I did it. I finished the Chicago TitaniumPerson Race. In third place.
I could fucking win one of these things.
It was part of Dad’s parting request but until today, I wasn’t sure it would be actually possible.
But this summer has taught me to lean into support, to believe in myself, and the joy is to be found in the process.
Because training with my incredibly attractive Coach is definitely the funnest part of all this.
Miguel should be able to get back here easily enough, Dee and my mom will have a little harder time but Dee knows where to wait for me. I still can’t believe my mom came in for this.
For me.
"Excuse me." I open my eyes to see a woman standing next to me.
She's wearing an Athlala branded training jacket and has a business card in her hand. My post-race hallucinations have leveled up with my performance. Or, is it actually possible, someone from the leading women’s athletic brand is here to talk to me?
"I'm Mara Linton, I work with Athlala on talent acquisition. "
"Hi, I'm Laney Matteson." I say as I extend my hand to shake. I don’t know if it’s trembling from exhaustion or from the excitement of what I think is happening.
"I know." She smiles and pulls a folding chair over and takes a seat. "I'm sorry I couldn't be at your last race, that was an incredible performance."
"Thank you."
"And I always feel weird cold calling people. It feels like spam." I chuckle. "Anyway, Athlala would be proud to have you represent our brand. Here's my card, call me this week and we will go through all the details, but I hope you'll say yes."
"I kind of want to say yes on the spot!" I laugh and she does too. Behind her I see Miguel approaching and his presence settles me. "But I'll call you and we'll figure out what this means."
"I like that plan." She smiles. "Well, I'll let you get to your recovery. Congratulations on another great race today. I look forward to working with you."
"Yeah, umm, same." I manage to say as tears fill my eyes. She stands and I force myself upright to shake her hand again.
My coach wouldn’t want me getting too stiff after the race anyway.
Mara gives Miguel a nod as she walks away and he returns it but his eyes stay on me as he approaches.
"Laney baby! Great race!" Miguel wraps his arms around me and this hug, right here, makes all the pain worth it.
"Thank you Miguel, how was yours?"
"Great! Finished right in the top group and then got another 20 miles in on the bike before coming back to cheer you to the finish line."
"That’s awesome!" Miguel makes it feel completely normal for him to go 140.6 miles and then casually add another 20 on at the end. I’ll stick to my one TP race a month, for now.
My head spins, maybe from my blood pressure dropping, or maybe I have too much to process right now. "I think I just got a sponsor."
"What?"
"Yeah, that was Mara Linton from Athlala. She gave me this." I hold up the business card between us. "Wants me to call her this week."
"Holy cow! Laney! This is incredible!" Miguel’s smile is infectious and I can’t wipe the happiness from my face. "And I think you got enough points for the pro card. We’ll find out tomorrow."
"I think you’re right." I hadn’t even thought about my pro card yet.
"You did it babe." He looks so proud.
"Yeah, I know, and my mom is here."
"She is?"
"Yeah, Dee must have arranged it. She was in the grandstands at the finish."
"Let’s go meet them then." Miguel says as the volunteer returns with my gear bag.
They both help me get out of my shoes and into compression socks, my crocs, and my sweatshirt. I get my race belt and visor tucked into the bag too and Miguel slings it over his shoulder before he gives me his elbow to lean on as we move to the gathering area.
"Mom!" I call out and she turns. Her face is filled with pride and she opens her arms. I crash into her and we both cry the tears we’ve held onto too long. I might have pushed her away just as much as she ran away after Dad died, but she’s still my mom.
"So proud of you kiddo!" She says and she squeezes me tighter. "And your dad is too."
I sniffle up my emotions. "Yeah, I know, thanks."
"Is that your boyfriend?" I turn to where she’s looking and see Miguel talking to his mom and a guy I don’t know.
"Seems like a lot of work for a banana." Dee says as she holds her arms open for a hug. "And, ew, you’re stinky."
"Thank you for being here today Deedle-poo."
"Always Laney-loo."
I hobble through hugs with everyone in Dee’s family, thanking them for the support, and sharing the news of my new Athlala opportunity. After a quick medal ceremony and photos with the first and second place athletes we find ourselves in a group again.
Dee’s dad calls out, "Dinner at Curryosity tonight at seven!"
"He’s proud of you and can’t wait to celebrate." Dee says and I nod. "Also, I’m totally coming to Hawaii for the championships. I’m a really good spectator."
"Yes you are. I’m proud of you and your signs."
"I didn’t even have to train to hold them."
"You’re a natural." I laugh and Miguel comes over. His hand at the crook of my neck is grounding and centering. But I am crashing. It is time for recovery.
"Ready to pack up, Princess?" He asks quietly in my ear. The heat of his breath sends shivers down my spine. "The sooner we get out of here the sooner I can get you into a cold shower at my place."
"Yes, please." I hum, now loving this post-race ritual.
"If you touch your toes right now I’ll reward you with some action in the shower."
As tempting as it is, and I slow my steps to consider it, I don’t think I’d find myself upright again if I tried to touch my toes right now.
"You’re mean." I pout.
"You’re greedy."
"Absolutely I am." I smile up at him as he slings an arm around my shoulder to pull me along with him. "Ice cream?"
"Of course."
Together, side by side, we gather my race things and head out.
I have achieved more this summer than I thought was possible when it started.
A Finisher designation at a TitaniumPerson event.
Third fastest time on record.
Qualifying for TP World Championships.
Third place in my hometown race.
My Endurance Elite Athlete Pro Card.
But most importantly, I got a partner who loves me, loves how passionate I am about my sport, and wants to come along for the ride.