LeatherneckPA
Recycles dryer sheets
Hooo-boy! I have read somewhere (probably several places) that one tactic to assist in attaining a fitness/health goal is to make your intentions known to friends and family. Only in this case I choose NOT to let my family know. I want to surprise/amaze them with a fait accompli.
Many of you know that I ride my motorcycle to referee bicycle races. And every race I work I sit there in awe of these athletes. I have spoken with diabetics who are racing wearing a pump, a 50 year old with a prosthetic leg, and wheel chair athletes who have climbed a category 3 ascent. This weekend I met my first 300+ racer. (That's 300 pounds plus!)
September 14th, last Sunday, I worked in DC at what they call "The Nation's Triathalon", It is what they call an "Olympic distance" race, which means it is roughly 1/4 of the famous Hawaii Ironman; 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. As if the athletes themselves did not impress me enough I got to meet and actually talk to Dave Scott, a legend in the sport of tri , six time winner of the Hawaii Ironman race.
So what does all of this have to do with me and you? Well, I have decided to compete in next year's Nation's Triathalon, rather than just officiate it.
I grew up an avid swimmer. I was the first on my Tri-County team to compete at a one mile race. And since we lived four miles from town I also grew up riding my bicycle pretty much everywhere. (You should have the seen the look on my girl-friend's face the first time I rode 10 miles one-way to spend an afternoon with her.) I grew up rather enjoying both sports. My big weakness for tri would be that I absolutely abhor running. That, and the fact that I will probably require some sort of ankle brace since the USMC destroyed both of my ankles.
So I am hereby going on public notice, more or less, with my intention. I believe a full year should give me sufficient time to prepare. Will I race as 50+ or in the Clydesdale division? Who knows. Will I place? Who cares! All I want to do is actually FINISH. I would consider it a bonus if I can finish by actually running the 10k rather than walking it. But first, let's concentrate on finishing.
I plan to post occasional updates here, and hopefully thrive upon the support this group usually expresses for it's members. OOOOOH!!! Brainstorm!! Anybody else think they want to do this and meet in DC for the race next September? We could have an online training/motivation group.
Many of you know that I ride my motorcycle to referee bicycle races. And every race I work I sit there in awe of these athletes. I have spoken with diabetics who are racing wearing a pump, a 50 year old with a prosthetic leg, and wheel chair athletes who have climbed a category 3 ascent. This weekend I met my first 300+ racer. (That's 300 pounds plus!)
September 14th, last Sunday, I worked in DC at what they call "The Nation's Triathalon", It is what they call an "Olympic distance" race, which means it is roughly 1/4 of the famous Hawaii Ironman; 1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run. As if the athletes themselves did not impress me enough I got to meet and actually talk to Dave Scott, a legend in the sport of tri , six time winner of the Hawaii Ironman race.
So what does all of this have to do with me and you? Well, I have decided to compete in next year's Nation's Triathalon, rather than just officiate it.
I grew up an avid swimmer. I was the first on my Tri-County team to compete at a one mile race. And since we lived four miles from town I also grew up riding my bicycle pretty much everywhere. (You should have the seen the look on my girl-friend's face the first time I rode 10 miles one-way to spend an afternoon with her.) I grew up rather enjoying both sports. My big weakness for tri would be that I absolutely abhor running. That, and the fact that I will probably require some sort of ankle brace since the USMC destroyed both of my ankles.
So I am hereby going on public notice, more or less, with my intention. I believe a full year should give me sufficient time to prepare. Will I race as 50+ or in the Clydesdale division? Who knows. Will I place? Who cares! All I want to do is actually FINISH. I would consider it a bonus if I can finish by actually running the 10k rather than walking it. But first, let's concentrate on finishing.
I plan to post occasional updates here, and hopefully thrive upon the support this group usually expresses for it's members. OOOOOH!!! Brainstorm!! Anybody else think they want to do this and meet in DC for the race next September? We could have an online training/motivation group.