A letter from a friend....

With permission from my friend who will remain anonymous, I wanted to print her letter that she gave me right before leaving for IMLP. This letter meant so much to me, I carried it down to T1 on race day to try to keep her words on my mind. I only wish that I could of believed in myself as much as she did and my friends. I hope you love this letter as much as I do.

To my friend Donna,

What a long journey it has been for you to get here. I know you are focused on Sunday and what that day will bring. I know you have goals that you want to accomplish and benchmarks that you want to attain. I know in your dreams- because all of our dreams are this way-you even see yourself crossing that finish line in first place.

That's why I'm writing this-to tell you something I'm not sure that you know, but that I know you've dreamed.

You've already won.

I know you talk about health, and looks, and how becoming this athlete has helped you transform. But the biggest transformation I have seen through your journey is even more important, and it started long before you began finding yourself on podiums or outperforming the boys.

You have found this strength, this depth of passion, this well of motivation that is wrapped around triathlon but that really has little to do with it. Your sport is your expression, but that core of power is organic to who you are now. You are a woman of integrity, an unparalleled friend, and one of the most resilient, powerful people I know. Your performances are impressive, but they have nothing to do with the love that so many people have for you.

You've already won.

You are an inspiration to so many people, particularly women, who are trying to find their way in this world. They look at you and see nothing short of a hero. They have no idea whether an Ironman is completed in 12 or 24 hours. They only see a mother of four who takes on her dreams, and still makes time for the causes she is passionate about. They see a woman who is there for her friends, devoted to her family, and yet embraces sport as well. You say you want redemption from last year, but you are already redeemed by all that you've achieved in the past year.

You've already won.

I can predict what will happen on Sunday. You will be scared. There will be highs and lows. At some point you will wish the day was over. At some point you'll wish it could go on forever. You will come to a moment where you think you are a terrible athlete and another moment where you know you are a superstar. Your body will make you feel like a warrior and a prisoner, in the course of one day. Not everything will go as planned, but it will go as it needs to and you'll go with it.

When you cross that finish line, we will as be as proud of you as when you started-because we can't GET any prouder. Just like in your dreams, you will win Ironman Lake Placid on Sunday.

Because you've already won.

I love you and will be with you in spirit the entire race. You will be amazing... as you always are.

I will carry this letter until I begin to believe in myself as much as my coach, my friends and my family believe in me. This process begins with me and I'm starting now.