Why Triathlons?

I had not been looking to do a triathlon at all last year, 2009. I just had been talking to my girlfriend, Heather, about getting back into shape after a hysterectomy procedure that had complications that rendered me pretty weak and unable to work-out for all of 8 months the year before. Heather suggested I train for a Triathlon which she had completed that year and expressed how fun it was. "Oh, really!" was what I remembered saying and thinking that if she could do it why not me?

Sign up was in February, 2009 and I had purchased Sally Edwards' book and was reading all about how to go about my training. Little did I know it was to be the start of a journey into getting to know what training is all about and what I was all about as well. I learned what beliefs I had about myself, both limiting and liberating! I learned that training with a team of women who had their varied reasons to train for the Danskin provided support, encouragement, comfort and friendship along the way. This was priceless! I learned that it's never too late to start any goal and records are meant to be broken. I learned that everything you long for and want to achieve is present inside you and needs to be nurtured and coaxed into fulfillment! I learned that despite the goal being out there, moving towards it is all that matters! I learned that my family is always beside me everystep of the way! I learned that one's actions can inspire the person you least expect to influence! I learned that one's values permeate everything we do!

I crossed the finish line last August 16, 2009 a different person than when I had started to train. I felt like a new person that day, that nothing is impossible and that the journey truly is the reward!

This year I dedicate my Tri to the children who live with a disability who yearn to jump and swim, cycle and run and I will do what I can do to provide opportunities for them to have happy fulfilled lives. Join me in this journey!

My 2nd Danskin Tri is on August 15th. The next week, August 21st my 2 sons, Richard and Carey are doing a Relay Tri with me at the Beaver Lake Triathlon in Sammamish, WA. We're 'Team Kathmandu!'