"The butt of the spear"

You military people will know what "The tip of the spear" means - it's out front, on the leading edge, where the action is.  That is not where I am.  I am more at "the butt of the spear" and I'm okay with that.  I am going to continue to train and try to get better, but if I don't get faster, that's okay too.  I don't want to take anything away from you front of the pack folks - you work your tail off training and you deserve to be there. 

I will say that you meet some of the best people at the back end of the race.  You don't find natural athletes, you don't find pretty running form or expensive tri-bikes, the swimming style is more like half drown - half swim, and transition is a place to catch one's breath.  These are just people working hard to finish their tri.  People pushing themselves to see if they can do it, to lay claim to completing a triathlon. 

They can't go out and knock out a 5k or 400 OWS or a 20k ride, they have to work at it for weeks to get it done.  They will breast stroke, backstroke and side stroke, but they will get it done!  They will ride nice and easy, but they will get it done!  They will walk if they have to, but they will get it done!  They have had personal challenges to overcome - injuries, losing weight, quitting smoking, you name it.  But they get it done...

The best part is that they encourage each other every step along the way.    I am honored and proud to compete with this group of people and promise to stay and cheer in the last finisher at every tri at which I participate.  I won't know them personally, but I do know what it means to have someone cheering you in the last 100 yds!  Go triathlete, go!!!!

Thanks for letting me stand on my soapbox, I feel better now.