In between these letters, you can follow colorful updates on my Instagram @kristinespinasse
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Today's Word: s'emballer
: to race, to bolt, to soar, to rocket
=> s'emballer also means to get carried away, to lose control of yourself
Listen to Jean-Marc read the following update, click here
À 28 kilomètres de la ligne d'arrivée de l'Ironman Barcelona, mon cœur a commencé à s'emballer et j'ai senti dès fourmillements dans les pieds, les mains et le cou. J'ai alterné marche et course ensuite et lorsque j'ai ressenti une pointe au mollet à 14 kms de la "finish line" j'ai décidé d'abandonner.
At 28 kilometers from the finish line of the Ironman Barcelona, my heart began to race and I felt tingling in the feet, hands and neck. I alternated walking and running next, and when I felt a stab to the calf 14 kms from the "finish line" I decided to give up.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
By Kristi Espinasse
My Ironman is sleeping after a challenging 24-hour day, Sunday, in which he pushed his 52-year-old body to its limit. Twenty-eight kilometers shy of the Ironman Barcelona finish line, after swimming, biking and now running… Jean-Marc's heart began protesting. Next, he had les fourmillements–"crawling ant" sensation in his feet, hands, and le cou. At that point, he began walking to the finish line…when his mollet began to shoot with pain.
His first words when he called me were, "Je vais bien. Ne t'inquiète pas…"
I wasn't the only one concerned! My Dad, over in Idaho, was also tracking Jean-Marc–via the Ironman app. When Dad's watch dinged, shortly after he'd gone to sleep, he realized the race had begun. Jean-Marc had dived into the Mediterranean Sea in Calella, Spain, and this immense physical épreuve–among men half his age..and a few older–was on.
Dad's watch continued to ding throughout the night, alerting him (and my belle-mère?) to Jean-Marc's progress. By the next morning when the sun rose in Idaho, Jean-Marc had finished the biking and was now running. But my Dad became concerned when Jean-Marc fell off the radar and could no longer be tracked…had Jean-Marc had an accident?
Meantime here in La Ciotat, my phone was dinging as well. It dinged when I went out to feed the chickens their breakfast, dinged after I made our daily bread, and dinged on my way to church…and dinged when I returned home and when I took my nap. I was amazed to check my husband's progress thanks to each alert. It was incredible to think that while the rest of us were going about our day, waking, eating, gardening, sleeping, Jean-Marc was carefully meting out his energy reserves on what would be for him a 12-hour course.
I was thankful our son Max had driven across the border with his Dad to help out with the equipment and cheer him on in person. Speaking of Max, this is the reason Jean-Marc had called so late at night….
"Everything thing is ok," my husband assured me.
My sleepy brain tried to process Jean-Marc's words. Why was he calling? What had happened? Last I checked he was 2 hours from the finish line. Where was Max?
Max was fine (indeed he'd had a thrilling day following his dad, cheering him on, photographing him, and enjoying the Spanish seaside town. He too was receiving those dings, or notifications… while he ate ribs, spoke in Spanish to the locals, and even managed a little spa time during the 12 hours that his father advanced toward the finish line….
But he was currently unaware of his father's injury. "Call Max and tell him I will meet him back at the hotel."
Jean-Marc's voice was level and I knew not to ask too many questions, but to get the message to Max asap.
When next I heard back from the two, they were already on the road, for the 4.5-hour drive home (with Max at the wheel).
It wasn't the first time I thought: This is crazy. He is overdoing it–once again squeezing a mountain of activity into the space of a day! Driving almost 5 hours home after midnight and after an all-day triathlon! He has not slept in 24 hours. Why don't they just stay one more night and get some sleep?
Because that's Jean-Marc, and I am learning to let him be, all the while keeping a watchful eye on this Ironman.
"But I am not an Ironman," I did not finish the triathlon, Jean-Marc replied, as he cracked open our bedroom door at 3:03 am, having arrived safely home.
"Yes, you are! As far as we (your family) are concerned, you are a Finisher. And we are so proud of you! Tellement fier de toi!"
* * *
I am still editing this post, but will pause now to make lunch for our Ironman, who is up and walking around now. If you see any coquilles, or typos–or simply want to congratulate Jean-Marc–thank you for using the comments box below.
For those reading our memoir, you will be familiar by now by Jean-Marc's drive. Indeed it's driven us from town to town, project to project, where he's raced after his dreams 24/7. It caused a fair amount of tension in our relationship, something I am writing about (8 chapters have now been posted). Let's give Jean-Marc the rest of this week to finish his latest chapter. He needs a little rest for now. Click here to read about our memoir-in-progress.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
les fourmillements = tingling
le cou = neck
le mollet = calf
je vais bien = I'm okay
ne t'inquiète pas = do not worry
une épreuve = test
la belle-mère = stepmother
tellement = so very
fier de toi = proud of you
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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Bravo, Jean-Marc! You are awesome!
Big applause from Houston!!
Bonjour, Kristi,
I hope I don’t hurt your feelings, but the responses to this blog about your Iron Man husband have elicited the best reader remarks that I’ve read in many years of following your blog! I
actually laughed out loud at some of them. I have a nephew who is a little like J-M with regard to skiing in the extreme. I have, on occasion, dropped to my knees in prayer, thanking the Almighty that he is still living among us. So I would place myself in the same camp as the responses from Margaret and Francesca. Thank goodness J-M knows himself well enough to stay ahead of Dead Man’s Curve. You’re a very lucky lady!
Jean-Marc – what an amazing fete! I am so proud of your accomplishment. Most of us ‘think’ about what it would be like to try a race, YOU actually did it! Hold your head high and be proud of yourself. Congratulations!!
Bravo Jean Marc! You are a courageous (& a little crazy) man!
I think Jean-Marcs triathalon was amazing but please be sure he is checked out by a doctor. There are some signs that are worrying and he’s in the prime of his life. Take care. There are more challenges to come. I’m glad Max was there.
Take care
Great comments, everyone…. Felicitations, Jean-Marc. Very wise ideas about successful relationships, Kristi. My husband gave up on triathlons after realizing how much time it would take to train to improve his performance. He finally realized that he enjoyed the activities, but not the competition.
Kristi, I have been following you for ages and love this story!
I have just sent in a donation to show my appreciation for all the insights you have shared.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVING AND SUPPORT MESSAGES.
I AM PROUD OF ALL THIS AND GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THE LUCIDITY TO STOP.
I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY FINISHED IT WALKING BUT THIS WAS NOT THE WAY I WANTED TO DO IT.
MY LAST 6 WEEKS PREPARATION WERE OBVIOUSLY NOT THE BEST ONES WITH A WINE SHOP TO OPEN (THIS WAS NOT ON MY PLAN WHEN I SIGNED UP FOR THIS SPORT EVENT A YEAR AGO), WORKING 7/7, 10 HOURS A DAY… BUT I REGRET NOTHING.
TIME TO RECUPERATE NOW… AND DECIDE IF I WANT TO SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR (THEY ALREADY SENT ME THE LINK TO DO IT!)
CHEERS 🍷
Did you mean “feat”? Of course “fete” meaning party might work just as well. HaHa. All good.
Dave
We know you will persevere. You are very much an inspiration!
C&G
Ah, but crossing the finish line is not what matters… The starting line is the true test….Start again another day! My father ran competitively well into his 70s, finishing the NYC Marathon several times…And NOT finishing several times. Eileen
I am so glad you knew when to stop and were courageous enough to stop, Jean-Marc. The fact that your incredible drive, determination and daring were tempered with that wisdom and courage may well have saved your life. All of attributes mentioned in the preceding sentence, and the training you have accomplished over the last year, makes you a true Athlete. Congratulations and Well Done! Leslie, with Scott and Bob
Thank you very much, Christine! On my way, now, to send thanks. Look for my note… 🙂
I jog with my dog a 5 k about three days a week. The other days my knees and hips remind me of the jog. I am in awe of anyone who can ATTEMPT an Ironman, especially starting at 52!
I heartily agree with John Rushing…never good to die in unattractive clothing…would love to be with the old couple, drinking wine in France watching the bicycles whiz by at the end of the greatest race…la vie!
On a sliding scale, factoring in AGE would make you an instant winner. It is an impossibility for the younger marathoners to possess your incredible LIFE COURAGE, another important factor as well, because they haven’t aged yet, like fine wine. Bravo, JM, #1!
Hi Karen,
Glad to read your thoughts here again. Yes, and you are too – absolutely correct on the matter of the aged strength and endurance. I remember myself recuperating after an accident a while ago, and being forced to attend the aqua-aerobic and water yoga classes where I was obviously struggling yet observed the best players. Oh dear, I was the only one in my late 30s amongst the 80+ old ladies — and that was the great lesson for me of how strong, fast and vibrant most of those “aged” swimmers could be. I eventually regained my strength but The Lesson stayed. They have been constantly working out though; two-three or even five times a week — in the water and out, with the gym equipment. Great example of our “elders”, many young people cannot possibly hold a candle to. 😄🙏❤️🙏 So, looking forward to JM taking up that race AGAIN next year.
🌺
How smart of him to know when to stop and how brave of him to even have entered. But to know when to stop takes even more courage.
👍👍
Bravo pour cet incroyable accomplissement. Ironman you are!
Jrean Marc is my hero!
the only failure is to not try at all.
I share many of the thoughts expressed in these posts. Jean-Marc, regardless of finishing, regardless of your times, you MADE THE ATTEMPT, and had the good judgment to know when – this time – enough was enough. Perhaps in the future you will have opportunities to train more extensively, and be able to complete the course. I can’t imagine doing an Ironman, so having done even part of it is SO IMPRESSIVE. We are all amazed by your accomplishments.
I had never done any “real” running until about 10 years ago. At going on 61 at the time, my goal in running a local 5K was just to do it – to have not only the care and discipline to train, but to follow through. I learned quickly that 5K is a longer distance than it sounds, and to mostly walk uphill and run downhill. Over the years, I have run more 5Ks, and my goal – since I knew I wouldn’t beat most people – was to compete with myself. One year I was 8 seconds faster than in the previous year’s race, and that is still progress.
Last year I broke 2 bones in my foot, so had to take a break from running. Today I ran a 5K, in the coldest weather I’d ever raced in – 31 degrees F. My time was the slowest ever. But I told myself, that at age 71 and with a year mostly without training, to be satisfied that I completed the course. There will be other races.
I encourage you to take things slow and easy, and maybe to sign up for another Ironman, but to tell yourself that doing ANY PART of it is still an achievement, of which you should be very proud. We are all proud of you.
Congratulations on running another 5K today, especially after breaking those bones last year. I like your words about competing with oneself. Thanks also for your thoughtful words about Jean-Marcs race.