Warning this might me mushy Today is a day I felt a feeling we dont often allow ourselves to feel. As I stood what felt alone among a sea of 1300 other triathletes I took a moment on the beach to think about what got me to this point and I shed a few tears as I got ready to start my first triathlon. This was one of the hardest years I have had in my life. A year ago I switched jobs and regardless of how much I enjoy my new job it meant new stresses and leaving a job I loved. I switched to head v-ball coach, again new stresses and responsibilities. A volleyball player that died at the end of the season which no one is prepared to deal with. Months of debilitating headaches to later be diagnosed with migraines and then a trial and error of finding the right treatments (still working on this). Then I thought things were getting under control, I registered for this event and snap, literally snap a ruptured ligament. One that just would not heal and left me in a boot until early May. This clearly sent training into a stand still. Oh and I still needed to learn how to swim One thing I have learned in my life is that I dont give up. A lot of obstacles had been put in my way, but that was nothing new to me. My personal motto after all is From Wheelchair to Warrior In May I started taking swim lessons and dedicated myself to it. I knew that it meant my biking and running would suffer but a choice had to be made since the race was in just 10 weeks. I worked hard during those 10 weeks, there were lots of set backs more headaches, more foot pain and of course just general life getting in the way but I WAS going to cross that finish line. So after I wiped my tears and finished reflecting I started my race. The water was choppy but I got through the swim slower than I wanted at 19 minutes. I then switched to the bike. I was slow at first as I tried to catch my breath but got stronger as I went passing several people on the road finishing in about 50 min. Finally was the 5K. I tried to jog but I just didnt have it in my legs since I didnt train for it at all. I walked most of it and it took about 55min. Giving me a total time including all the transitions of 2 hours and 12 mins. Below average by most standards absolutely but I dont care what I know is the feeling I had when I crossed the finish line. I crossed and the first words I said to those with me Andrea Davidson Judi Politte-Downs Sandra Runyan Jamie Russell were oh my god that was hard but they were quickly followed by a flood of tears and the words I did it, I actually did it Thank you to all of you that supported me and encouraged me along this long journey it is truly appreciated and has helped keep me going when I wanted to give up, which was many many times today. Today I am proud of myself....I did it!!! I AM A TRIATHLETE!
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:16:56 +0000
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