kaiser permanente los angeles triathlon

The L.A. Triathlon: Sprint: .4 mi Swim, 20 mi Bike, 5k run

5:00 am
It's dark and I'm standing outside my apt with my bike, my tri bag full of gear, chomping down two pieces of whole wheat toast and staring into the eyes of two coyotes who've crawled down the hills behind my apt., while waiting for my cousin and his wife to pick me up. No toast for you, you scraggly little fuckers. Freak out scale : 4.5
5:45 am
Mark, Sigrid and I arrive at Venice Beach and park in the darkness. It feels like 5:45 pm, a full crowd of people unloading bikes and rolling down the beach towards the check-in. I've downed a gatorade, a cliff gel and half a cup of coffee. The ocean is dark and I'm cold. Freak out Scale: 5.5
6:45 am
I check in, set up my bike and T1 bag ( bike shoes, gels, gatorade, helmet and gloves ). I've been bodymarked with my Bib# "2918" and age "43". I'm watching the waves crashing and after the pros run in I see two people carried back by the Coast Guard. I can't do this. I don't have enough experience. I'm not going to make the swim. I'm serious. I'm terrified. This is completely fucked. Freak out Scale 9.0
7:45 am
I put on my wetsuit and test the waters with my cousin. It's butter. Warm and inviting and completely different looking than from the beach. I dive past a few waves and am swimming with ease. I hug Mark and tell him and Sigrid how much I love them and thank them for helping me. Whooo Hoooo! Let's fuckin' do this! Excitement Scale: 9.0


9:24 am
I have a fantastic swim. Rough start with choppy waves. I kept coming up for air when the waves were high and sucking down water, but I found a rhythm and started to lengthen and rotate my hips and...swim. It felt so good that I wanted to slow down and splash around, but hey, it is a race. I made it out in 24 mins. I re-pulled my calf muscle as I got on my bike and was concerned but hey... I made it out of the water! and 6 mins early! Calf Muscle pain Scale: 8.5



10:25 am
Rolling on my bike up from Venice to Wilshire to Highland and now smiling at spectators in Hollywood. Eat something. Drink. Squeeze a gel in my mouth. Change gears. Look around. This fuckin rocks. Hydration Scale 9.4

11:00 am
I make it up the motherfuckin 1st Street Hill without stopping. Determination Scale: 9.0


















11:21 am
I'm running up the steep Grand St. hill. This is hard...Bullshit...Think of something else. What am I doing tomorrow? I have a 10:30 appointment with a client...This is hard...I have to pay my phone bill...You can always stop and walk...Fuck that! I have three emails to get out tomorrow...made it! Hill Scale 9.7

11:36 am
I'm running down Figueroa St. realizing all I've done to get to this very quiet moment: The banged up wrist and knees from falling off the bike; the 5 am wake-ups for swims; canceled dinners or movies or dates; the constant fear of failing; the realization of how ego based I am, still and how that realization puts me in the NOW. I look around and realize... I've been all over the city this morning. I feel great. I cross the finish line strong. See for yourself:

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon


Mom and Dad are there. They're rarely ever in the same place and yet since I've moved here they're "closer" than ever. We take a picture together. First one I've taken with both of them since my high school graduation 25 years ago. They're cute.
Power of Now Scale 10.0

Considering the injury, I'm pretty happy with my time. See for yourself :
http://www.latriathlon.com/Results/07results/sprintagegroup.html

7 mins better than I thought was possible!

Thank you's for Sara! Marcie! Mom and Dad! ( that sounds so high school ) Victor! James! Bree! Everyone who came down and cheered me on and everyone who's been cheering me on through email, text and phone. All my friends in NYC...you were with me.

And... Javier...who took me out last October and showed me what the ocean could be.


It was a good Sunday.

What am I going to do next?

Anything...