So, I was at the gym the other day and I got to talking with Ryan Hemming and Phil Garrett. The topic turned to the race events we have all signed up for this year. Phil is a man who over the past 2 years has lost over 100 pounds. He is a great success story. I remember when he first moved into the neighborhood. Since those days a couple years ago, he has eaten better and taken care of himself through working out. I see him and Ryan pretty frequently over at the Legacy.
I mentioned to Ryan that I was signed up for the St. George 70.3 triathlon. He told me a thing that I did not know, that the event will be televised by ESPN and ironman.com. I thought to myself that all I have to do is beat the Triathlon World Champion, Pete Jacobs from Australia, and I can become rich and famous...yes the world champion is doing the same race with a lot of other top athletes from around the world. We had a chuckle. I then told him that, hey I can be on TV...at least at the beginning. With how serious a lot of these athletes take the St. George tri, I'll be sure to come in towards the end. That will be okay, cuz that is where all the inspirational stories occur, like the 70 and 80 year olds doing their umpteenth event who stumble across the finish line, the woman on chemotherapy overcoming cancer, the man with only one leg who uses the prosthetic, those people doing the race in behalf of others, like the father who races with his handicapped son because the son loves riding with his dad and the wind in his face (this one always gets me). Nichole likes it when I get emotional watching some of the inspirational stories. To me, it is so neat to hear and watch those people overcoming huge obstacles in their lives to accomplish something so great. So, long story short, it will be fun to be on the same course as the triathlon world champion, even with no hopes of achieving high placement in the event, but it will be even more satisfying to learn of the inspirational stories that result from this event.
I decided to dedicate this race to my brother, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. He has been someone so active his whole life but is now very limited in his physical abilities, and in such a short amount of time. He is only 43, has his good days and bad days. We did the Park City 100 miler together just a couple years ago. He did great then, but now has a hard time just getting around.
So, in my training, I just set my PR for the 1.25 mile swim at 33:20 last Saturday and then this morning, a 2 mile swim at 1:03:20. The swim will be my Achilles heel to determine how I feel after that
