Dead Last

On Sunday August 16th I finished the Hanson Dam Triathlon, Olympic distance, but that's not to say it was awesome.  This was the worst race of my life.  An Olympic distance triathlon consists of a 1500 meter swim followed with a 22 mile bike ride and finished with a 10k (6.2 mile) run.  It was my first triathlon at this distance, my third triathlon overall and it was a challenge from the moment the air horn went off.

1500 meter swim, somehow I forgot all of my pool training: head down, breath every two strokes, relax.  I was a mess.  The sun was coming up and I couldn't spot where I wanted to swim to.  Half way into the first of three 500 meter laps the lifeguards started asking if I was in distress or needed help.  Are you kidding me?  I'm not drowning.  I'm struggling out here.  Finally, somewhere on the last lap I was able to swim as I had trained and I finished and got the hell out of the water.

22 mile bike ride.  This was the best part I felt good throughout the two 11 mile laps.  Somewhere along the first lap I realized I was riding with riders on their second lap.  But that didn't bother me.  I knew I had a second lap to go.

10k run.  On the bike ride I was feeling a pain at the top of my right calf.  After about 200 yards into the run, my right knee started to hurt.  I injured my knee long ago in college, tearing the meniscus.  This pain today wasn't sharp like that, it was more on the side and back of the knee.  Ligaments.  Really, now the ligaments in my right knee are hurting and I have 6 miles to go.  It is hot, aid stations are running short of water and electrolite drinks and I have to deal with a bum wheel.  The run portion became a walk/run.

When I finished, I was greeted by my family and I went immediately to the medical tent.  The race coordinators were already handing out the podium medals.  Do they give one for dead last?

Post Script
The victory does not go to those on the sideline, the critic or naysayer who never try but are quick to comment and advise against.  It is those in the arena who with their effort, sweat, and heart tho beaten and last will rise again and again.  For it is far better to try and fail then to live like poor souls who know neither victory or defeat.

Inspiring and Insprational

Yesterday was the Special Olympics Unified Experience Triathlon.  It was a sprint distance triathlon made up of 750m swim, 11 mile bike, and 5k run.  My unofficial time was 1:50.  I'm ok with it because it was my first open water swim in competition, the bike wasn't my best effort, but once I started running I felt great.  

Seeing the Olymipans from 5 countries competing for pride (this was a non medal event) was amazing.  They had at least a 30 minute head start on me and the other participants.  By the time I was out of the water and back to the transition area, the lead Olympian was leaving for the run.  He did the swim in 11 - 12 minutes where it took me about 23:30  to complete the swim.  Then we had to run up the beach about a tenth of a mile to the bike path and run another tenth of a mile to the transition area.  It was crazy.  

I passed two Olympians on the bike; shouting words of encouragement to them as I went by.  On the run (an out and back course so I could see participants coming back in as I went out to the turn around) I saw a Costa Rican Olympian.  She had a couple of participants with her.  She was grabbing, rubbing one thigh, and I could tell the participants were helping her, encouraging her.  She was hurting.

I get to the turn around and start back, and I start to think I might catch the Costa Rican Olympian.  I see her before the last aid station on the course.  It's about half a mile to the finish line.  She still has the two participants at her side.  The three of them stop at the aid station.  I am approaching, watching.  The first aid attendants and the Olympian speak about her leg.  She waives them off and continues down the run course with her two participant helpers.  

As I catch up to them I hear her name, Anne.  It's Anne of Costa Rica, the Olympian.  I pass the trio and tell Anne she is doing great.  As I continue on I tell everyone I pass that Anne is coming, cheer for Anne.  I am finishing my race, but leaving a trail of support for the real finishers this day, the intellectually challenged young people who make up the Special Olympics. 

This event was a billed as a Unified Experience, non Olympic event.  I bought my way in, but these athletes earned their entry.  This wasn't just another event for me and never was.  I didn't know what to expect for myself other than a personal check to see how I am progressing with triathlon training.  As I walked my bike back to my car, carrying my gear: I couldn't help my feelings of pride and inspiration.  Proud to have competed along side such deserving athletes.  Inspired by the human spirit, will, and determination.

I am looking forward to Saturday when I return to the Special Olympics Unified Experience where I will again compete along side Special Olympics athletes from around the world in a half marathon.

P.S.  Anne of Costa Rica finished a few minutes after me to a throng of cheering fans, supporters, and me.

Not Bragging, Just Saying

I post a lot of my work out and race results on social networks and I get a lot of positive feedback.  I truly appreciate it.  The "likes" and positive comments are a social wave of support  helping to carry me forward.    No matter my individual goal for an event, a cheering crowd can carry me to the finish line.  This social component is enjoyable and reassuring.  I'm never bragging about my accomplishments as there are plenty of people better than me at any sport or activity.  However, as I reach a personal goal I like to say something about the accomplishment.  The countless workouts running, biking, and now swimming, my pre race selfies, post race results, and medal photos tell my story.  

I am a firm believer that sports and competition are one of the best ways to build self esteem, confidence, and personal courage.  There are things I won't do, like throw myself out of a perfectly good airplane.  But there are plenty of other things that I didn't think I could do, and am doing them.  I hope my story will inspire someone to try a race of any distance or discipline.  What you learn about yourself is more than you will find in any book.  I'm not bragging, just saying.

Past, Present, Future...

PAST

I hated running as a child.  I can remember in third grade begging to participate in a one mile race for school.  After two laps, I got a running cramp, didn't finish, and received a healthy dose of grade school humiliation.  For me running was a chore, something you did to to escape responsibility or the police.

Then in my mid twenties, tried of the gym, I was looking for something to do for exercise.  Something that can be done anywhere, anytime with minimal investment.  I came up with running.  So I opened the door and put one foot in front of the other.  Again, I was incapable of running one mile.  So I asked some friends...

They all said the same thing, "slow down."  So I did.  And I started to put together a three point five mile run around the local golf course.  Also, I started to sign up for local 5k and 10k races.  The races were motivation to keep running.  I gotta admit, I love my medals and bib numbers.

PRESENT

I have come to enjoy running.  It allows me to clear my thoughts, provides me with energy, and challenge myself.  I started with a 5k and moved up to a 10k, 12k, half marathon, and marathon.  I find myself committed to longer distances.  I won't get out of bed unless I am planning to run five miles or more.  It is a great feeling to know that I have this kind of endurance, power, and strength.

Running isn't just about physical strength; it's mental and emotional too.  Any distance will test you, ask more of you than you think you can give, try to break you.  The days that I don't want to run are the days when I know I have to.  Because if  I don't, the third grader who couldn't finish one mile will win.

FUTURE

Tomorrow I will participate in my first triathlon.  It's a sprint triathlon.  Much like a 5k race; it's a first step into a great unknown.  I am excited with what this represents; a larger challenge, dedication to training, balancing life, family, and work.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I am ready.

EPILOGUE
The triathlon was amazing.  I was strong in the run and bike, and totally gassed in the swim.  I finished around one hour and twenty minutes (unofficially) and am waiting for the official results to post.  Now I am researching local gyms with pools, triathlon bikes, USA Triathlon and Ironman International memberships.  I think a triathlete was born.