"Do or do not ... there is no try."

My very first triathlon came and went this past weekend. It was cold and rainy all day on Saturday in Guelph, where my first "try-a-tri" was located. Despite its name, I followed the illustrious words of Yoda and "did" the triathlon, not just tried it. The entire event, from pre-race preparation to post-race awards, was exciting and inspiring. As far as I know, all three hundred and eighty-seven participants finished the .4km swim, 10km bike, and 2.5km run. Those with race history and aspirations for victory clocked in around 40 - 45 minutes. Yours truly followed at a respectable 58 minutes. I was motivated and pleased to cross the finish line ahead of the 1 hour mark. I placed 232nd out of 387. My next challenge is to improve my time in August when I race my next triathlon. I know I can.

Obstacles to overcome include steering clear of swimmers while swimming through the murky lake water, and preparing my legs better to run after the bike. It is an amazing physical experience for your mind to be saying "run", while your legs are screaming "bike, or walk, but no run". After a couple of minutes the legs get the message that you need to run, but those couple of minutes are somewhat comical.

Shifting attention physical medicine clinical matters, I should mention an aspect of this triathlon that I have yet to bring up. While standing in the rain in my tri-shorts and swim cap and goggles, shivering, I noticed that my week-old tight hamstring was still tight and achy. I had hoped that a week off of training would have settled this injury, but alas, in the moments before I needed all my muscles working 100%, my dominant right leg's hamstring was failing me. Yet, I managed to race my race without much focus on my sub-par hamstring. Once the race ended, the tightness and pain had returned to my leg. So, I decided to heed my own advice and have my hamstring treated properly. On the Monday following the race I used my own laser therapy along the hamstring musculature and visited my massage therapist. I am more than pleased to report this treatment approach worked quickly. My pain and tightness is gone and training for the next triathlon is underway.

Bring on the next Try-a-Tri. Or, should I say 'Do-a-Tri'.

Back Home

I am back from Italy. The picture above is of the beautiful town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Although the weather was a bit grey during this part of our vacation, the sights, food, fashion, and culture was still spectacular. Italy is a beautiful country with an envious lifestyle. In short, it appeared as though the Italians worked to live, rather than lived to work as so many of us do in North America. Siestas in the afternoon and listening to the Italians' passion for life, family, food, and vino reminded me of what's important in life.

My wife, Andrea, and I traveled by plane, train, automobile, bus, subway, and ferry boat to see as much of Rome, Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and the Amalfi Coast as possible. Mission completed and successful. By chance, we even arrived in Sorrento (Amalfi Coast) just in time to grab front row to the Giro D'Italia cycling race! As a cycling fan, this was a real treat. It was unbelievable to first see the leaders of the race cycle by us at speeds I cannot even imagine riding at on my own. And then to see the remainder of the riders (the peloton) cycle by us in such a tight group before heading up Mt. Vesuvius - a seemingly impossible task on its own - was truly a sight to see as a cycling fan.

I was inspired by the Giro to get back on my bike when I returned home to continue my preparation for my first triathlon this weekend. Unfortunately, jet lag on the way home wiped us out spoiling an additional week of tri-prep. Nevertheless, this week has allowed me to get prepared and I am really excited for my first triathlon on Saturday. Barring a disaster, I look forward to posting some pictures and results when it's over.

Until then ... don't forget to love life and make time for the things you are passionate about.