My Blog Log

Friday, July 20, 2012

"Triangle" Becomes Circle:My Ten Year Love Affair with Triathlon

     Anniversary is defined as a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event. The word was first used for Catholic feasts to commemorate saints.
     Last weekend I participated in Triangle Triathlon in New Hill, NC. What made is so special was that the first triathlon I ever did was ten years prior at the Triangle Triathlon at Lake Crabtree in Raleigh. The event venue had changed since I participated and completed ten years ago, but it was still a very well run event as I had remembered back in 2002.
     My ten year anniversary of competing in triathlon was a special day for me. Most people relate to anniversaries through celebrating their wedding date, birth date or even death date. But for me triathlon has been such an integral part of my life that I felt like"anniversary" was a good word to describe my journey.
     Triathlon has been much like my own marriage in that I am committed, I show up regularly for training weather I want to or not, and sometimes I have a love/hate relationship with triathlon. Like a marriage, I've had my ups and downs with triathlon, have had joys and sorrows with triathlon, and have grown comfortable with triathlon after training and racing for so long. Triathlon has been there for me when I was up, down, sick, rich, poor, and lonely- much like my own husband has been there too. Triathlon came through when I had relatives die, when I moved across country to a state I had no ties with, when I had to start my real life over. Triathlon, like my seventeen year marriage to Mark, has given me more than I could ever give to it.
     In 2002 I announced at a girls night out that I had signed up for the Triangle Triathlon. My friends at the time knew my competitive spirit, and that I had been a competitive swimmer and runner. They also knew that I would probably do well as I was fairly athletic. What the girls did not know was that signing up for that triathlon was a defining moment for me that went far beyond an athletic competition.
     I had quit my job a few years prior to stay at home and raise my son Bryce. Three and half years later my son Nick was born. I was doing the "mom" thing, which was great, but a part of me felt as though I had been placed on a shelf. Without the career part of me, I felt a little lost as a person. I was now defined by my children and by other moms as, Bryce's mom or Nick's mom. Don't misunderstand, being a mom is the greatest thing that ever happened to me, still I felt that I was losing some of my own identity. Signing up for the triathlon, and later completing it and doing well, was another way for me to define myself, other than a mom or a wife or even a career person.
     I was elated after completing Triangle Triathlon in 2002. I bragged to friends and family that,"I'm a triathlete." I wasn't an Iron man or anything(that would come later) but that I could now add another category to describe myself that would make me feel proud. Triathlon saved my self esteem during those years and beyond.
     Triathlon to me in 2012 is so much more than racing and training. Ten years later, I am able to share my passion with others through teaching children at the YMCA, and teaching adults swimming and swimming technique at Lifetime Fitness in Cary. I am able to share how to train and participate in triathlon to those who want to learn. Nothing could make me happier. It is not about me at all, but about those I can help strive to meet their goals. Teaching and coaching helps me stick with it now. I am getting older and the PR's and the worrying about what place I'll make are slowly phasing out. What I love most is being out there and talking to other triathletes that have been at it for years. The stories and the heart behind triathlon make it great.
     I met a wonderful woman at Triangle Triathlon this year. We were waiting in the, oh so long line, for the porta potty prior to the start, and I struck up a conversation with the woman in front of me. She told me how she had been doing the Triangle Tri since the very first one at Kildaire Farms in Cary. I shared my own story of how I had done my first triathlon at Lake Crabtree and how nasty the water was. She continued to share her story of how she and her husband had been triathloning since 1978 when the sport was not as popular as it is now. Her children had also become triathletes and now were grown with their own children. I shared how my own children had grown up watching all of my events, and that today they were home sleeping in. I remember bringing the jog strollers and plenty of snacks to keep my kids occupied while I raced, and my poor husband hanging around trying to keep a toddler and a six year old busy. We said our goodbyes as we got our turn at the porta potty and I noticed her age on the back of her leg-64 years young! How impressive to see all ages competing. I was instantly energized.
     The day ended with me placing third for my age group. I was really proud as the field was larger than some of the other races I had done this year. The best I had ever done for the Triangle Triathlon was about 5th or 6th in my age group, so on my "anniversary" it felt really special.
     My Tri-Life had come full cirlcle last weekend. The "Triangle" became the circle for me as I crossed the finish line and had my own husband cut the timing chip off of my leg. He was now able to volunteer at one of my events, rather than chase our two boys, who are now a rising sophomore and a rising sixth grader. Time sure has flown in my tri life. I wouldn't change a thing. Triathlon to me now is like a strong marriage or favorite sweater; I am comfortably settled in for more years of tri-ing.

Tri-On Friends,
Kelly