Before 5:30 a.m. I was on my way to the 5i50 Boulder Peak Triathlon
at Boulder Reservoir. On the morning of
a race, I am always filled with all sorts of emotions, so I was doing my best
to stay relaxed listening to some music on the radio when the morning host
brought up a quote that I had heard many years ago. It stuck with me this morning. “The most important things in life are not
things.”
As I looked around at the amazing bikes, the expensive
aerodynamic helmets, and all the other gadgets and equipment that make
triathlon so exciting, I couldn’t help but think about that quote. I walked to the body marking line and noticed
an older gentleman getting marked whose age looked more like a race number than
an age, and that someone is someone who makes triathlons great. It's not the bikes or wetsuits; it’s the
people. There are very few sports where
the elite athletes compete side by side with the age group athletes, and that
is something important, as it is a family event. The idea of triathlon is to push one's
physical, emotional, mental, and perhaps spiritual limits to the test. Each one of those characteristics I tested
today, which I take pride in. Not the
things used in a triathlon, but instead the concept of triathlon is what keeps
bringing me back.
If you are unfamiliar with my racing tactics, I like to
start each triathlon by digging myself a huge hole in the swim portion which
gives everyone a head start. It happens
every time, despite my fluctuation in swim training, so I am starting to think
that this may just be the way it is.
After getting to the beach and making it to my bike, I couldn’t wait to
get started. Midway through the bike portion
of the race, I came across my longtime friend Jim Halberg who was yelling at me
to get in a bigger gear and get rolling.
This little push reminded me to have courage and push my limits which I
did en route to my fastest bike split average ever at Boulder.
Off the bike, I had exciting feelings flying through me. As I took off up the first hill, I thought
once again, "This high, this excitement is what triathlon is." The run is always fun for me because I get to
fly by those larger swimmers or the cyclists who can hammer it while biking. Passing them right and left, even seeing some
walking really helps build my confidence as I go. The dirt trails of the course do not bode
well for fast times, but compared to my competition, I flew as I clocked the 4th
fastest run.
When the race was over there is a sense of achievement. It's not a finisher medal that gives value to
the race; it’s the feeling of doing something with your day that most could not
do in their life. I ended up finishing
14th in the Men's Elite division which should qualify me for the
Hy-Vee 5i50 US Championship. Depending
on my team's schedule this fall will determine if I can race, but it is still a
nice accomplishment after such a dreadful swim.
I understand many who read this blog are not triathletes, or
even runners, but I would encourage you to slow things down. Many of you are athletes still in college who
I coach or know. I am not telling you
not to focus on getting that diploma.
Graduating is very important, but look around at what really matters. Fill your life with people who want to enrich
your life, and do your best to do the same for others. This may involve sacrificing some of the
“things” that we pursue, but look to bring value to your life in whatever
direction you may be heading, and there will be a sense of satisfaction that
will last longer and bring more happiness than anything else ever can.
July 13th 2014 (1500swim, 27mile Bike, 10K Run) Boulder Peak
2:19:58. (Swim 28:50, T1 1:58, Bike 1:10.28, T2 :59, Run
37:41) 14th Elite
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