In the months leading up to the 11th running of Ironman Coeur d'Alene, Derek Garcia has been writing a monthly column keeping the community updated on his journey as well as what the hundreds of athletes from the Inland Northwest are doing in preparation for the race.

In my eighth-grade summer, as I was getting ready to enter high school, there were all kinds of possibilities opening up to me in both sports and academics.

What I looked forward to the most about going into high school was the opportunity to play baseball at a higher level. One of the varsity players told me that the way he stayed in shape in the fall was to run on the cross country team.

Late that summer, I joined the cross country team. I quickly realized that running 3 miles on a consistent basis was really hard!

I BEGAN to rationalize that the pain I felt running during my last free days of summer were not worth the possible fitness that might lead to better performance during the baseball season later in the year. So it probably goes without saying that I was not in the cross country photo in the yearbook that year.

As athletes start the race on Sunday, you won't find a lack of motivation. Just getting to an Ironman start line is an accomplishment in its own right.

But as athletes go through the inevitable highs and lows, the physical, emotional, and some might say spiritual, struggles that present themselves during this grueling race, there has to be a reason to compete that is bigger than the struggle.

WHAT IT really comes down to is that the reward has to be big enough to get you through the pain.

In Sunday's race, there will be people overcoming disease, obesity, personal demons, or just simply proving to themselves that they can do it. My advice to those racing is that you take hold of your deepest reason for why, and you will continue to forge toward the finish line on Sherman Avenue.

I caution those who will be on the sidelines volunteering and spectating as the sight of the determination this weekend may lead to spontaneously signing up for the race the following morning.

Then you will have only one question to ask yourself ... why?

See you at the finish!

Derek Garcia is a husband, father of three boys, cancer survivor, professional triathlete and coach. Derek has coached hundreds of triathletes to successful Ironman finishes. This year he will race Coeur d'Alene Ironman as a professional for the first time. Contact Derek at dg@derekgarcia.com