7 Minutes 49 Seconds

I went to the pool yesterday for one last swim before the Monster Triathlon tomorrow. It was a great day to go because I was totally inspired by one of the other swimmers there. No it wasn't the lady that was obviously training for her next Iron Man event or the guy who swims like a fish wearing his Speedo. What inspired me most was this little old man. I swear this guy had to be in his late 80's. He shuffled up to the pool with assistance from both his nurse and the LISD supervisor and an additional lifeguard. He wasn't able to jump in the pool or lower himself in by using the ladder. No this guy had to be lowered into the water using the automated chair lift. With tremendous effort he was loaded into the chair, strapped in and lowered into the pool. He was then unstrapped and assisted to the side of the pool. He started his pool work-out from the side complete with his 1972 flippers. No he didn't swim a million laps, he just did his work-out by staying on the side of the pool. His work-out was just the simple act of getting INTO the pool and moving. Plain and simple.

I had one of those moments in life where you just have to get a grip and suck it up. I thought to myself if this little old man can go to that much trouble just to get into the pool then I can most certainly suck it up tomorrow. I will admit that I am totally doubtful about tomorrow and the triathlon. I so want to just finish and not be dying along the way. I hate the pool with a passion. I am dreading getting in the water with lots of other swimmers who are going to be swimming over me. I am totally dreading getting out of that pool and hopping on that bike, cold and wet and riding in the cold wind for 16 miles. Then I still have to run for 3 more miles. I feel totally in over my head. I am fearful of being the last one finished. I am fearful of drowning in the pool, wreaking on my bike and tripping on the run. People who know me KNOW that all of these are possible if not probable. I am fearful that my hamstrings will bunch up and that my lower back will be killing me.

I am fearful of all of these things, but I keep thinking of that little old man. He went to all of that effort, just to get INTO the pool. I am going to go tomorrow and participate in this triathlon for HIM not me.

By the way, I did get into the pool yesterday and managed to swim the 250 meters in 7 minutes and 49 seconds. You can do anything for 7 minutes and 49 seconds!

Show up and make it count!