The Athlete Within...

Hitting a home run, catching a Touch Down pass, making a 3-pointer, pitching a shut out, scoring a goal in a soccer match, running a sub-7:00 mile, finishing a 1/2 marathon... I've had my fair share of athletic accomplishments, I can now add TRIATHLON to that list.
I've always considered myself a pretty good athlete, especially for my size. Not ever GREAT at one but passable at many. I've felt that I can adapt to any sport, I may not be the best, but able to perform with some competitiveness... Growing up I played many sports competitively: Football, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball and even Tennis. I've enjoyed other sports recreationally: Flag football, Racquet Ball, Ultimate Frisbee, Softball, Golf, Snow Skiing and even Volleyball. Side note, some sports that I have never seemed to grasp: Ice Skating and Skateboarding, or any kind of boarding for that matter.
I joined 3 friends/coworkers and about 996 other people in the attempt to take on a challenge by water and by road. Some have attempted before, some this will be their first time and I was one of them. We conquered a challenge set in front of us, made of three separate endeavors when completed on their own are challenges in themselves. Combine them and you have a triathlon! SWIM: 500 meters. BIKE: 15 miles. RUN: 3.1 miles... In that order.

The swim, 13'29": I was lumped into the age group of 13-29. Most of the group seemed to include very fit young guys. I wasn't the prototypical tri-athlete in the group. I had to breast stroke most of it, mainly to watch where I was going and to keep one particular kid from drowning me. I guess he was trying to stay with my pace, which wasn't fast, but instead we had this very large swim area and he was right next to me. I would try to get out of his way, but he just stayed close. There was another kid that swallowed water 30" into the swim and sounded like a seal the entire time we were swimming. Finally I was done and I could get to the bike. My chance to make up some time!
The Bike, 47'13": I averaged between 19-20 mph on the bike. I passed more than I got passed by. I felt really good on the bike. I probably could have gone harder at the beginning, but for the last 2/3 of the bike, I gave it all I had on the bike course. OH! And it is a good thing that the guys in front of me, started to unclip from their peddles upon dismount, or I would have completely forgot to take my feet out of the peddles!! That would have ended badly.
The Run, 29'16": I averaged 9:26/mile, a little slower than I wanted but I survived. (I was shooting for about 9:00/mile.) When I was in the transition between bike and run (T2) I put a GU in my back pocket and was going to get it down at the next water station. But when I got to it, I reached into my pocket and NOTHING! Damn, I missed it a little towards the end, because of some fatigue. I walked the water stations to catch my breath to be able to run a little faster. The last tenth of a mile my Right VMO (thigh muscle) started to lock up and it really effected my final kick... However, I finished. All pain, all discomfort, all thoughts of time diminished when I heard the cheers from the crowd, my family and when I crossed the finish line.
THE FINISH: 1:35:02-
It was something that I had never felt before. Not even with the 1/2 marathon, which was more like "Holy crap I can't believe I did this, I can't believe I finished!"... Today's finish was more like, "You're DAMN right you finished! You trained, you pushed yourself and you overcame something you weren't comfortable with!" (swimming)
The athlete within is ecstatic to add TRI-ATHLETE to my athletic resume! It may be no IronMan, but a challenge non-the-less. My next one is in College Station in July, oh man that will be HOT! I will be competing with my Uncle. I can't wait!
Thank you all for your support! It means a hell of a lot to see and hear your support!!!!

"May the road rise up... wind be at your back... Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

My Tri-Version: "May the water drift in your direction, may they be calm... may the road be smooth and down-hill... Until we cross the finish again, May God keep you strong and injury free!"

Wade
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