5:30  – “beep beep beep” – my alarm goes off, waking me after 5 hours of sleep. 

6:00 – I, along with my dad, head towards downtown Louisville to see the start of the Ford Iron Man.

6:50 – “Fire” the first shot is fired allowing the awaiting professional iron man racers to leep of the dock into the water to begin their race. 

7:00 – “Fire” – shot number 2.  This one allows the rest of the participants to begin their 2.8 mile swim in the Ohio River.

 Today, over 2000 racers were able to take part in the Ford 2007 Iron Man Triatholon.  For those of you who don’t know much about this incredible race, let me enlighten you.  It consist of three things:
1) a 2.4 mile swim 2) 112 mile bike ride 3) 26.6 mile run. 

There were about 200 “Professional” triathletes there today (possibly more – the crowds were to gathered for me to see)  This morning I was able to watch the very beginning of the race.  I was mixed right in with the participants who were weaved in and out of railings and sidewalks awaiting their turn to jump into the Ohio River.  I saw a mixture of athelets there.  There stood about a 5.1 men to women ratio (women wore blue swimming caps and men wore red).  I saw a variety of “lean-ness”.  What I mean by that is, appearance wise, I was questioning some who were going to attempt to finish this race.  They did not look like they could run a flight of stairs, let along a Iron Man.  There were others who were would serve an anatomy teacher well – they could be used to demonstrate every muscle in the body – especially those in the arms and legs.   I saw short men and women, tall men and women.  For a while I stood next to a women with three children, who was there to support her husband.  I saw many couples competing together, even a homosexual couple competing together.  It really was awesome to be around such awesome athletes. 

After most got into the water, my dad and I briskly walked to the “transition 1″ station.  This is where the athletes were to immerge from the water, sprint to grab their T1 bags, run to the dressing room, sprint to their bikes and take off for a 112 miles.  Their T1 bags were full of whatever was needed for this new transition – Gu, socks, sun glasses, etc.  By the time we got over to that area we saw the first swimmer running towards his bike and take off in a matter of seconds.  He had his shoes already attached to the foot pettals, his helmet upside down, and glasses all in place.  We stood and watched the athletes transition for about 40 minutes.  It was incredible. 

My dad continued the day by driving to see the bikers at their turning point. I went home, changed and went to church.  About 3pm my sister and I went down town to meet my dad, and hopefully see the first finisher.  And we were able to.  I actually stood 3 feet away from the finish line!  The first place winner, James McDonalle (? On spelling) made it in under 9 hours.  I think the exact time was 8:48:53 or something around those numbers.  three minutes later the second place winner came through.  About 3 minutes after that the third place winner – an American and FIRST TIME IRON MAN participant came through.   What a great race.

 These three really demonstrated true, steller athleticism!  They were the ipetimy of “buffeting their body”.  Unfortunately I do not believe it was done to the glory of Jesus Christ.  As great as a feeling of winning the Iron Man must have been, what happens now?  What does he do tonight?  He drives away with his new car, and feels satisfied for how long? 

When Paul calls us to “buffet our body into submission” he is referring to the Christian life, and to discipline for the purpose of Godliness.  Godliness for an ETERNAL purpose.  Not a purpose that is fleeting and fading.  I learned a lot today.  I learned that anyone with time could devote themselves to particiapte in an IRON MAN.  I learned what it meant to endure and pursevere until the finish line – almost 9 hours of incredible performance that is very demanding upon the body.  Yet if this is not done for the purpose of glorifying God who gave us an incredible body, then it is pointless and vanity. 

But what glory and lessons can be learned from such an event.  I have a few that were already shared.