Saturday, May 15, 2010

Triathalon.

Today I am out doing Amateur Radio help for a triathalon.  I have helped at this one for a few years, we read the tag numbers of the riders (Dad and I help on the biking leg of the triathalon), and I have watched the various people.  There are the Lance Armstrong wannabes, super carbon fiber sleek body hugging ultra fast go folks. 

There is the parents, puffing and blowing, with the kids, red faced but they won't slow down, they got THIS far. 

There is the ones that are obviously in zen mode, eyes happy, one pedal stroke at a time, they will get there when they get there. 

But there is one person that fasinates me. (I am writing this ahead, so I will let you know if she is there this year, later.)  She is not a thin gal.  If she was a runner, she'd be called a Clydesdale.  She has been in the race every year I have helped.  She is obviously working at it, and is usually near the last, even if she starts early.  But, every year, she smiles and waves as she goes by, and says, "I am making it! I am STILL GOING!"  (Usually says it on the way back, but with a much redder face and a bit of puffing.)  She isn't an athlete in the normal sense of the word.  She will probably never get first place.  But she always works at it, she always looks happy to try, and she always finishes, looking as pleased as if she'd won gold at the Olympics.  This attitude is contagious.

I want to be just like her!

I am STILL GOING!!

10 comments:

Sharon said...

Enjoy your people watching! Maybe this year she will win! :)

Louise said...

I wanna be like her, too! Wouldn't you like to get to know her better. I bet she'd make a wonderful friend.

Inger said...

i love it that you saw this person and knew that it is the journey that counts, not first place, but being there and doing it. wish she could read your post.

fromsophiesview said...

YES.....go for it!

Chai Chai said...

Persistence in tasks brings its own kind of joy. If you KNOW that you are going to complete a project, come heck or high water, then every step on the journey to completion brings a little satisfaction. There are few things in life that bring greater joy and satisfaction then a challenge met and goal accomplished. Good luck to you!

Cat said...

To one and all:

I still didn't get to meet her in person, but she was indeed there! She was wearing a black racing outfit with NO sleeves, and commented as she raced by (puffing only a little), "I am going to be SOOO sunburned!" Still smiling, and she wasn't even close to last! She is just so cool!

Cat

Bo... said...

I admire those people more than I admire the winner.

Cat said...

Bo:

Welcome! And yes, sometimes it takes more "guts" in that case that it does for the I can win it bunch...

Cat

Chicken Boys said...

You have an award on my blog!
~Randy

Cat said...

Randy:

I do? ooooh, gotta go see!

Cat