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.