126 < 1

how can i possibly say that 126 is less than 1?  was never good at math, but let me explain...


as i made my final turn down the shoot towards the finish, i heard the announcer and fans cheering.  i spotted my family along the side, stretching their hands out for me to slap 'five'.  so many emotions came over me and as i passed them, i began to choke up.  holding back the tears, i heard the announcer call my name as crossed the finish line.

my family asked why i looked like i was going to break down.  was it my achilles? no.  was i in pain? yes, but that had nothing to do with the tears of absolute joy i was holding back.

eighteen weeks prior i had no pool, no bike and a torn achilles.  as i told people what i was embarking on, most thought that i was crazy to think i could even do it.

my swim/ironman coach gave me the 'shocked' look when i explained that my first triathlon was going to be a 70.3.  (i did complete 3 sprint triathlons prior, thankfully).  but by the last lesson i had with her, she told me that i should follow all the guidelines, because 'what if i was to place?'.  (was concerned about wearing a wetsuit, if lake was too warm, no wetsuit.  wetsuit helps you swim)

when we bought our bikes, the shop owner gave me the same look.  i never bought a bike before.  had a hand-me-down huffy when i was a kid...

dr. singh told me that it would be a long shot to cure the achilles by race day.  there wasn't an ounce of pain in my right foot.  now my photo and signed bib will be hung on his office wall.

for six hours, as i swam 1.2 miles, biked 56 miles and then ran 13.1, i thought about those 126 days.  all of the sacrifices, the pain, the money, the joys, the barriers broken.  and when i saw the finish line with my family cheering, clapping, waving and smiling, i knew that i made it.  everyone races for a different reason.  i needed to prove to myself, my family, my friends, and the 2 readers i have on this blog, that anything is possible.  even when you are knocked down, all you have to do is get back up.  it wasn't just me pushing my body past its limits that day, and i owe a debt of gratitude to so many...

to those who were so bored and read this blog - anything is truly possible.  i had a dream and believed in it whole-heartedly.  whatever you dream about, go out and get it.  i thank you for coming along with me.  stay tuned, because it is far from over.

to my family - for eighteen weeks i lived part-time in ny and part-time in nj.  tucker doesn't handle car rides too well, so knowing that he was completely cared for took such a load off from me.  you heard me talk about triathlons and training until you wanted to bust.  thank you

to my parents - i'm sure you both would love for me to tell you that i'm hanging up my wetsuit and deflating the bike tires.  sorry to say, this is probably just the beginning.  don't worry, i won't make you stand around for 6 hours again (will do the next one in 5 and the full will be like 12-13 hours).  thank you for raising me to know that belief and action will change the world.  i am honored to be your son.

to my friends - your support and faith helped me cross that finish line.  whether you will ever understand why someone would do this to their body, i thank you for supporting any and all of my decisions and always telling me that 'you will do it'.

to number one - everyday i get to look up to you and it's wonderful.

to number two - first off, i knew that you wouldn't let me do this alone.  because a. i needed you there, and b. i knew you wanted it just as bad.  no one will ever be able to take this away from us, and imagine if we weren't just beginners.  you brought this idea up a long time ago.  i thought you were crazy.  honestly, i know that you are truly amazing.  this was your second triathlon (the first one you placed in!!!) and i doubt that anyone competing on sunday can say the same thing...

to you - you were there all 126 days.  you gave me a bed to rest on, a shower to wash away the stink, a pool to train in and pasta for me to carbo-load.  but most importantly, you gave me your heart.  the heart that shared in my excitement as each week passed.  the heart that was concerned if i was providing my body with enough nutrition.  the heart that saw me cry as i dealt with my right foot.  the heart that cared for me through all of the pain, holding strong to the notion that this journey was not over, that my foot will heal.  the heart that woke me up singing 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming'.  the heart that has captured my races and accomplishments on her stolen camera.  the heart that stood at the finish line, smiling ear to ear, exposing all of your dimples.  and finally, the heart that now wants to become a triathlete.  you are truly remarkable...

for 126 days, i trained my body and my mind all for one finish line.  the journey has only begun.  lake placid 140.6 next july and, god-willing, kona 20??