Musings on my first season

Well for starters, this has been a good year. Today, I finished up my first season as a triathlete (competed in Hickory Knob in McCormick, SC) and I must say that I feel like a changed person. This entire year and half that I have devoted myself to training and racing has really molded me into a different person, and the change is good.

Unlike a lot of others on my team (UGA Tri-Dawgs), I have almost zero sporting background, whereas most have done cross country/track/soccer/swim team their entire life. I did theatre in high school, so the most intense I ever really got in school was stage fighting. I have tried my hands at a couple of things, tennis, golf, track, but nothing ever caught my interest enough for me to stay involved for more than a month. When I committed to and finished a half-marathon in March of 07 (by the request of a friend) I knew that I was on to something. Searching you tube at work on evening, I came across the infamous Julie Moss video at Kona. I was memorized. I couldn't stop watching, and ended up learning about Mark Allen and Dave Scott, Sian Welsh and Wendy Ingraham, and of course Team Hoyt. A fire was lit that I have not felt in a long time, and I knew what I had to do.

After some injury setbacks, a lot of training, and blood sweat and tears, I finished my first tri season (2 sprints, 2 internationals). I still have 2 road races left in the year. I have learned so much about this sport, largely thanks to BT, and I have learned a lot about myself. I know that I have amazing potential in myself, and that this sport is what I am meant to do. I am a new person, happier, healthier and so much more confident than ever before.

I can guarantee that I will be involved somehow in triathlons for the rest of my life, be that racing, coaching, directing races, or just volunteering. But I wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in the triathlon community. In this sport, here is more support for each other than in any other sport. If triathlons were easy, then everyone would be doing them, and everyone racing and watching knows this, and gives support where it is needed. I love the love and support that exists, and sometimes me hearing "looking strong" or " keep going" from a complete stranger is all i need to get over a hill or finish a race. You do not see this in any other sport, and it is really what makes it so special.

All in all, I am grateful that I found this sport, and am thankful for my team and family for all of their support through the tough times. Now is where the real fun begins, the race has just begun, and I know I have a long road ahead of me. But this is what I am meant to do, and I am blessed to be a triathlete!!

- Daniel