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.