Friday, March 27, 2009

Lead Motorcade at Big Kauhna Half Ironman


"There is only one real failure in life that is possible, and that is, not to be true to the best one knows." ~Johann Kaspar Lavater


It's always thrilling to lead a race like this, especially when you get the full California Highway Patrol motorcade for the duration of the bike -- and your family is watching!


This clip was at the 88-kilometer mark on the bike coming into transition. I had roughly one minute on #2 and came in blazing to build as big a lead as possible...as he had a runner's physiology!

You can hear my wife Alexandra in the background becoming a tad unhinged over her husband leading the race. (I love it!) There is no sweeter sound in a triathlon than that of your family screaming and the police sirens blaring. It means you're usually doing something right.

This was a good day. Off the bike, I was clipping off my planned pace of 5:45/mile. I was sure, at that pace, that nobody would catch me...for a while at least. Well, this guy closes the minute gap and is on my shoulder by 3k. We ran together until 18k and I just ran out of gas. I finished a minute in arrears in second place.

Anyway, a stellar day out there. It was emblematic of everything that is good about the sport. I am so grateful to be able to do it, to share it with my beloved family -- and to do it in honor of those without a voice.

A special part of this sport, for me, is watching the finishers come in as the day wears on. These people have been out there for 5, 6, 7 hours -- and most of them have radiant smiles on their faces. They are out there battling through their doubts and emerging stronger because of it. Triathlons are a rich tapestry of humanity -- and the power of the human heart is on full display at these special events.

For anyone who has ever dared to dream to do a triathlon, I heartily encourage you to do it. Put aside your doubts, fears and excuses and go for it. The rewards far outweigh the sacrifices, and they last a lifetime. To get you from where you are now -- to that hallowed finish line -- I've published this just for you.

E.

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