A few weeks ago, just as I was starting to get back into the swing of things after the fracture, I was driving to work wondering if all of this is really worth the effort. No sooner had the thought crossed my mind I ended up stopped at a red light behind a car with a very prominent 140.6 bumper sticker.

I shrugged it off as a coincidence.

I haven’t given it much thought until yesterday, when again I seem to have been targeted for a reminder from the universe about my mission.

My motivation had dipped a little low this weekend after a couple of rough runs. I’m still building up to my previous fitness level after the fracture and it got me a little frustrated.

Walking into my office building yesterday, entertaining thoughts of calling the whole thing off, the person in front of me decided to stop abruptly and check something on his Blackberry. Thanks to being so deep in thought myself, I walked right into him.

This is not an entirely uncommon occurrence as I work in a crowded place and people are often packed very tightly during the early morning rush to get up the elevators, so after the usual exchange of apologies he started off on his way again.

He ended up in front of me at the elevator line-up and I noticed something. The backpack he had on—the one I had walked into—was an Ironman branded bag.

I thought to myself, “OK, I was thinking about giving up, and Ironman just literally punched me in the gut.”

Now, I know that Ironman and triathlons are becoming hugely popular. It’s entirely possible I’ve been stopped behind that car a hundred times, and stood behind that guy and his backpack every day for the past few years and never noticed, but could it really just be coincidence?

I don’t know.

Either way, I’m thankful for those little reminders that help keep my mind on track.

So if you’re one of those people with the bumper stickers and backpacks and other Ironman gear that you wear around town, on behalf of myself and others working towards the right to wear such badges of honour, thanks!