It has been a little over a week since I crossed the finish
line and officially became a tri athlete. Weird. The race was amazing-
freezing (high of 42 degrees), dripping wet (literally rained the entire time- it was dripping off my hat onto my face) and windy, but amazing. I’ve tried to cultivate an
attitude of gratitude so even though the conditions were less than ideal, here
is a list of things I became grateful for while trying not to shiver to death:
I’m grateful for:
-being able to put one foot in front of the other
-the ability to feel my fingers and toes and know when I am
cold
-a body that functions
-RAIN! So our produce will be cheaper all summer and our lakes
fuller
-Family that will stand in the rain to cheer me on
-Accomplishing a goal
-Checking something off my 30 ways to celebrate list
Did you know in China you are considered wealthy if you own
a bike? Every single person competing in that race owns at least one bike. My
running shoes cost more than most people in the world will spend on food for a
month and they are only 1 of 4 pairs of running shoes in my closet.
I can’t think of any other non-first world nation that would
pray for it to stop raining so you can swim, ride a bike and run. Seriously,
dang first world problems.
I feel extraordinarily blessed to be able to do races. The
adrenaline and energy is contagious and exhilarating. There is nothing like
jumping in the water and pushing yourself to swim faster and harder than you
ever have. You hit the finish, jump out and RUN to your transition to try and
suit up (for those of us not in a tri suit), get your shoes on, helmet buckled
and out to the mount line as fast as possible. You pedal and pedal and pedal
until your legs are on fire and your breathing is coming in gasps only to get
back to the transition area, loose the helmet and get back on the road. You
ignore the jello-y feeling of your legs and force one foot to go in front of
the other. Over and over and over until you look up and see the glorious finish
line looming in the distance. This is the moment to dig deep and finish strong.
All for this moment. Everything for one moment of glory. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Am I sure? Definitely. (Although it may be a personality disorder to want to
push your body to its limits in 40 degree weather; I should check into that.)
I need to give a HUGE shout out to my second Dad, Todd
Douglas. I LOVE this man. He is one in a million. When he found out I was doing
this tri, he signed up for it so I wouldn’t have to do my first alone. He is
much faster and stronger than I am but walked me through every single step and
every transition. He made sure I was ready and cheered me to the end. I am so
incredibly blessed he is in my life and so grateful he is family.
Here are some pictures!
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| Thank you Todd for being the very best second Dad around! |
I may be crazy but I love this kind of stuff. Kristen and
Luke always take such good care of me and made sure I got a celebration for
accomplishing my goal. I know I’ve said it before but I will say it again,
everyone should be as lucky as I am to have friends like Kristen and Luke. They
are some of the most amazing and wonderful people I know. I love them more than
words can articulate.
Next week I head to Disneyland with my family to check off
30 rides. I can hardly wait! It is destined to be an epic adventure.
Much love to you all and happy 30 to me-
~Stef
