Not All That Different

This past Saturday I competed in a Sprint Triathlon. It was the 3rd one I have done this season. I did my very first triathlon last June. I have to admit that I’m kind of hooked on them. If I was 20 year younger I’m sure I would be doing an Ironman distance in place of the Sprint distances.


In the past couple of months I have had the opportunity to encourage a few different people that are attempting or considering doing their 1st triathlon. I found out that the receptionist at my chiropractors office is training to do her 1st one this summer and I have shared some pointers with her. I have talked to a couple of different people that workout at the Y at the same time I do and they have been asking me questions because they are considering doing one as well. And then there is how I got hooked up with a complete stranger to do some training swims in Lake Tye. Because she has a couple of young children she can only do it late one night or early (6am) on Saturday mornings and was having a hard time finding a swim partner.

Kyle and I were talking the other day about my “competitive nature”, how I’m not out to win at any cost but I’m there to do my own very best and to help others do their best. That is one of the things I like best about doing triathlons. It is about encouraging people along the journey. It about letting those that are struggling that they can do this and to not give up, that is what gives me the greatest joy doing triathlons. Until this weekend I just thought that is something in me, but now I realize that is how all triathlete’s are.

On Saturday sustained 2 injuries during the run portion of the race. About ½ way through the 5K portion of the race I pulled an abductor muscle (or more commonly known as a groin pull) and then 500 yds from the finish line I twisted my bad knee. So I was obviously struggling. I ran as best I could at that given time and I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. As each of the other athletes passed me they all shouted out encouragement. Some of these were just weekend warriors as I am and others were very intense skilled athletes, but each and every one of them seeing the struggle that I was having were supportive and pushing me on to finish. Encouraging me and letting me know that they understood the effort. I crossed the finish line with a small group of friends, family and other athletes cheering me on.

Even though I placed 2nd in my age group, it is those words of encouragement that I remember and will remember in my next race and any more going forward.

Philippians 2:1-3