My final two choices have an apparent link being the sport of triathlon. In later life an amazing thing happened to me. I had retired from formal work and there was a gap in my life. Golf did not fill it. I needed a challenge, a real challenge.
Since the early 1980s when triathlon had gained a consciousness in the sporting world I had admired those who dare to dream and take on the awe inspiring Ironman challenge. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and 26.2 miles of swimming. I could hardly swim a length, cycling was something I had not done since I was a youth and my frame had filled out somewhat. Yet there I was standing on a beach in southern Sweden in the town of Kalmar along with 2500 competitors on the startling of ‘Ironman Sweden’. Why Sweden? I cannot say why but there I was. Fitter than I had been for years full of fear and excitement.
The song ‘One day like this’ was not one I knew. It amazes me when people say I like triathlons but I can’t see what Ironman races are so expensive to enter. First of all they are not, they coast less than a bike wheel. Secondly why would you not want to race on close roads?. Is the feeling of running in front off huge crowds not just the best thing you have ever experienced and if the general atmosphere including all the music and light shows is not something that excites and stimulates you then you are made of different stuff than me.
So there I was on the beach and the Elbow melody blared out. Over subsequent years when I have felt low I only need to play that song and instantly I will be transported to that thrashing mass of humanity in my first ever mass swim start (i got that wrong!) I will once agin be on my bike riding through the lovely villages around Kalmar being welcomed along with my fellow competitors with shouts of ‘Heya’. I will feel the sheer exhaustion of plodding around the run course accompanied by some fellow stragglers all encouraging each other.
Most of all I will remember the pretty woman who ran alongside me and translated the urging of the crowd. Swedes love physical challenge and a man of 64, doing his best, apparently encourages admiration. The hairs on my neck rise as I think of it. Most of all I will remember approaching the finishing shute down a narrow road illuminated by the flame of ancient torches and entering a huge auditorium with packed Grandstands. The final steps as Liz ,there as my sole supporter on the day, she had positioned herself at the entry way to the finishing shute. She handed me a Union Flag and as my eyes were blinded by the light I heard the words that brighten my darkest day. The commentator played a familiar line as each racer was ‘welcomed’ home. Dennis Elliott, Great Britain you are an (the crowd finished the job) IRONMAN.
My penultimate choice is One day like this by Elbow.
Tales of a Life Well Lived 