Its still dark, but that is normal for us - right! We are off today to Annapolis to do a 2.4 mile swim and 50 mile bike. I am pretty excited about the opportunity to get in the open water for more than 800 meters or so. It is raining a bit, but that will be ok (at least on the swim). I'm hoping that it will be clear enough for the bike.
Some people ask - why do you do it? Why the sacrifice, the weird hours, the pain, the cost, and all the other negatives that go along with triathlon? It is hard to answer that question, because the "why" cannot be put into words. It is a feeling, a state of mind, that happens when you know you have accomplished something that so few people have done. It is that feeling that you get when you know you have pushed yourself beyond your limit - that awesome high you get when you cross the finish line and you are DONE! You can't explain that to someone who hasn't felt it. You can only feel it yourself.
I also do it for another reason - to celebrate what God has given us all in the amazing human body and spirit. The way I see it, I have been given this gift of the greatest machine ever created, a living machine with an iron spirit, and I should push it to its limits - if only to see where those limits are. Make the most of what you have been given, whether that means a two hour sprint or a nine hour Ironman. Do what you can do to maximize what you have to work with - that is the best way to celebrate life.
It is also great to enjoy this sport with so many other great people - to connect with others who seek that same feeling, and who share that same celebration of life (Hey Deb M!). If we can all work together to help some others less fortunate physically, to let them participate through us in some way, and also to raise funds that help them in their struggle, then that is all the better to bring us all together as a community.
So - its 5 am and I'm off....how great is that!
JM
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