My Dad The Stud

After turning 50 last year, and after being talked out of a pony-tail and a Harley, my dad decided to enter his first triathlon. There were about ten of us that thought it was such a great idea that we’d do it ourselves. The old man was the only one to actually follow through with it though.

What a stud.

On Saturday my dad entered the Flag City USA Sprint Triathlon. 750m SWIM, 23k BIKE, 5k RUN (.466 mile SWIM, 14.29 mile BIKE, 3.1 mile RUN). His goal was simply to finish the race. God must have wanted to make him stick to that goal because halfway into his swim his timing mechanism got knocked off his leg by a wild swimmer. No official scores or times for this guy. Only a sense of pride and purpose.

However, thanks to modern technology, the time-stamps on our cameras can give us an idea of how well he did. He can now feel even more proud that, not only did he finish the race, he did quite well for a first-timer.

Swimming – 19 minutes
Biking – 40 minutes
Running – 27 minutes
TOTAL – 1 hour 26 minutes

That places him 58th overall and 4th in his age group (Men 50-54).

Again, what a stud.

My dad continues to be an inspiration in my life. I couldn’t think of a better Father’s Day weekend than to have my father continue to show me how anything is possible. Great job dad! I hope I can be half the father to Tanner that you are to me!

Filed under: Dads, Fathers, Fathers Day, Pride, Sports, Triathlon

What Was. What Is To Come.

For some reason I just don’t feel up to writing a huge reflective post about 2007, and my hopes for 2008, like I did last year. It might have a little to do with the busyness I’ve had at work over the last few weeks, and lack of time to even digest it all. So this will be the cliff-notes version.

2007 was a different sort of year for me. I tried my hardest to disconnect from certain responsibilities, trying to make things easier on myself, only to find that it made things harder in the long run. This year I’ve re-dedicated myself to becoming the responsible man I’ve been known for, or at least think I am.

My goals are modest this year. They basically involve continuing to be more intentional, and more pro-active, in my spiritual development, family life, work production, church leadership, and overall basic health (diet+exercise).

The three biggest and specific goals that I’m planning for 2008 are:

1. Participate in a triathlon – Actually it’s a mini, or sprint, but they still call it a triathlon, and it still involves swimming, biking, and running.

2. Get a tattoo – My brother, my dad, and I have always talked about getting a tattoo of a wedding band, and ditching this jewelry. This is the year we stop talking.

3. Take steps to adopt a child – It’s time.

Here’s hoping for nothing but the best for 2008.

Filed under: 2007, 2008, Adoption, Goals, Reflection, Resolutions, Tattoos, Triathlon

Ironpuppy 2008

Building on the momentum of my old man, I too have thrown my hat into the triathlon ring for next summer. I’ve been riding my bike pretty good this month, and with a little more focused training I think I do alright in this thing.

It’s not a full, or even a half triathlon, but rather what they call a Sprint or Mini triathlon. Here are the distances:

• Swim — 1000 meters

• Bike — 14 miles

• Run — 4 miles

This is a Racing For Recovery event in Monroe, Michigan. The swimming section will be in Lake Erie, where they say the water will be 68-69°. I’m thinking about making this a yearly activity with the hopes of moving up to a half marathon after a few years.

Who’s with me?

» RacingForRecoveryHalf.com

Filed under: Challenge, Exercise, Health, Ironman, Motivation, Push, Triathlon