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Why Tri?

I just finished watching Kona with my 14 year old son.  He doesn't get why anyone would want to swim, bike, run.  And he really doesn't get why anyone would want to do 140.6 miles in the heat of Hawaii.

While out on the bike course, passing and being passed, you are always being routed on.  On the run course, you give words of encouragement to your competitors.  At Kona, the two men who were neck in neck for first place with only 3 miles to go shook hands.  The first place finishers come back and congratulate the final finishers hours later.  What other sport has such sportsmanship?  Where else can you be cheered on by the person you are now beating?

And it's not the winners of Kona who inspire me.  It's the people who barely finish.  The ones who cross with seconds to spare.  The man who just beat cancer who kisses the ground at the finish line, or the father and son who cross the finish hand in hand.  The man who got a DNF last year, and comes back this year to try again.  The people who were told they couldn't do it, who prove all the nay sayers wrong.  They are the true champions.  They are the winners.  They are all Iron Men.

Trying to explain why anyone would want to do this is not easy.  I mean, I've only ever done three triathlons.  The furthest distance I've ever run was 10 miles (and I sucked!).  What makes me want to do this.  What makes me think I can do this?   I'm a newly single mom, who works full time.  They write country songs about people like me.  I belong on Jerry Springer, not at the start of an Iron Man.

I have only finished sprint distance triathlons.  And one of those was finished in complete agony from a leg cramp.  But I still finished, and crossed the finish line with a smile.  To me, the only greater feeling of accomplishment was in September of 1996 and October of 2004 when I was handed my sons for the first time.  That is the only feeling that can trump crossing the finish line.

2 years ago, I would probably not even have known that the Iron Man world championships were being broadcast.  Heck, I probably didn't know there was even such a thing.  But this year, I made a note of it on my calendar.  And recorded it.  If I had a treadmill, or an indoor trainer, I would train in front of it.  I am totally inspired right now.  ITBS and the impending divorce b.s. will not stop me.  I am going to be able to call my self an Iron Mommy.  I will cross the finish line at Lake Placid in 2012 and hear the announcer say "Caroline, you are an Iron Man"  

Why do I tri?  My only response to this question is another question.  Why NOT? 

Comments

kristin said…
hang in there - i am a single mom of 2 girls, work 32h and am a triathlete too. we can do this!!! i just found your blog and look forward to following your successes

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