One great thing about being a triathlete is that you always have three sports to train. If your body is broken in one sport, you have another option.
Usually if I am not racing triathlons, you can find me at a 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon or some trail run race. Running has always been a religion of sorts, for me. Since the age of 13, I have chosen running races as my recreation of choice. Its been hard not being able to go run or race when I want to. Although I have had set-ups over my career that have come in the form of injuries, I have always known I would be back. This time, I don't know if I will be back to competitive running but I'm not wasting anytime worrying about that though. I can swim and bike!
Saturday I did something I have never done before. I signed up two open water swim races held back to back at the Lake Del Valle Aqua Challenge in Livermore, CA. I swam the .5 mile and 1 mile swim. Going to Lake Del Valle was a real treat. Not only was it a beautiful place to swim and to hang out, but I was able to meet new people and spend time with athletes. I was especially touched when friend Tilden Moschetti made the drive from San Francisco to come out and support me and some of his other friends. Thanks, Tilden!
There were a lot of brand new triathletes training as part of a Team in Training group as well as many seasoned swimmers. I had no expectations for either swim other than swimming to finish the event. A nice surpise was placing 2nd in the wetsuit division in the .5 mile and 3rd place in the 1 mile. It's not about the awards, but it IS fun to win something to represent your efforts.
Understand I have never 'placed' in a swimming event, so this was like winning the aquatic lottery!
I was tickled to share some post race laughs and conversation with fellow pro, Eileen Swanson and her hubby, Reid. Eileen ripped it up and won the 2 mile swim and Reid won his age group in the 2 mile as well. Reid was just as surprised as I was to win a medal. Naturally we were all smiles. Aquatic surprises do that for you!
