Tri, Tri Again

Under the bright stars and a quarter full moon turned on its side, they came. They came with bewildered eyes and little rest from the night before. They came carrying their loads of gear all on their own shoulders, with their beloved two wheeled machines by their sides. They all paid $40 and drove hours to be here by 7 o'clock on Sunday morning and didn't even notice when the sun rose. They stood in line with others with the same goal, not sure of what they were about to do to themselves. They were marked with the tattoo of a number that will forever remain the definition of what they accomplished on this day. This was a race of many first time triathletes.

A sprint triathlon is usually an approximate distances of a 400 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride and a 3.1 mile run. Most people will finish under 2 hours, so if one can exercise for a couple hours they will be able to finish. Many make it look very easy and will tell you it is easy. The fast ones finish in just over an hour inspiring awe at the human body when fit, toned and trained. The latter of the pack finishes within the 4 hour time limit struggling and smiling through what is the most grueling task they have ever paid to undertake.

The slowest are worth the trek out to watch and cheer them all on! Why do they do it? Only they know why, it is a force inside them from a place unknown to those on the outside. They grimace and limp and yet they still smile and hold their arms up in awe of themselves. Do they know they are living inspiration for the innocent bystanders cheering them on? I can't help but wonder about why they have chosen this task when they knew they would suffer? Yet they endure through the three legs to the finish line...with a smile on their face. They are what "try" athlons are all about, trying to finish no matter what, knowing they can, and doing it! Inspiring themselves, and others to try anything, and do it.

The finish line is a spray painted red line on a parking lot that is slowly empty of the early morning contenders. The orange cones to guide runners and bikers are slowly being picked up and put away. The tents are being broken down, and the music has since been packed and trucked away, yet they still keep coming. Running up the last hill into the parking lot, covered in sweat, head down, focusing on getting past the pain in their bodies. They don't seem to notice any of the people that are left milling around, they only see the finish line. They raise their head, smile and lift their arms in the air. They finished the triathlon, they are no more a first timer, they are now a triathlete forevermore.

in·spire

v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires

1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.
3. a. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
3. b. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
5. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
6. To breathe life into.
7. To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence: a leader who inspires by example.

To be inspiring is an essence of life, it is the most touching of human interactions- to inspire someone or be in inspired by someone. If one is every looking for inspiration from others, go watch a triathlon.