Why I TRI

Why I tri? Growing up it was baseball, football and basketball (I did wrestle when I did not make the basketball team). We did not even have soccer in school until I was out in the real world. So I was a team sport guy and never really thought much about the individual endeavors, even though I ran the occasional 5 or 10K. I remember watching Julie Moss struggle across and the finish line in 1982 and I thought that was pretty cool. What a challenge that Ironman thing is!!!

In the summer of 1989 or 1990 I did my first triathlon at Fort Yargo State Park. I happened to be in charge of the lifeguards there and thought I could swim. When I heard about it, I looked at the distances 750m swim, 12 mile bike, and 3 mile run, and decided with the courage of a teenager—I can do that. Well I did it and I added “triathlon” to the list of things I had done and did not think much about it. It was time to get back to school where a triathlon meant—beer, women, and sun. Classes were approached more as transitions. You want to do well in them, but the other three disciplines are more important.

After graduation and some years in the army I grew to hate running. The army just ran the fun out of the sport. I moved to DC permanently in December 2004, and after a year overseas, I sat on my butt and did nothing but eat for the first 3 months. I tried joining a running club but they were not the most inviting people. So that did not stick.

At the pool one day, my mind went back to that triathlon years before and the inspiration I gleaned from watching Julie Moss. I bought a book or two to get myself motivated, bought a bike and here I am.

That’s how I got here, but why do I do it. I do it for challenge of pushing your body and mind. After spending many years in the military doing cool stuff, it was hard to just sit around and play golf. I missed the physical and mental challenges of pushing your body further than I thought I could. And to be honest I also missed the adrenaline of such endeavors.

I tri because I like the feeling of getting up in the morning and working up a good sweat. It makes me more productive at work and a happier person. I enjoy the looks on the faces of coworkers when you tell them you swam 3000yds before work and you still beat them to work.

I tri because I want to be a better swimmer, cyclist and runner and at the same time maintaining some level of fitness. I don’t want to grow old!!!

I tri because of the people in the club. With the exception of the people I have met in the military, this is the best group of individuals I have met. The camaraderie, support, and friendship have just been invaluable to making DC home.