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Sprint Duathlon-Mister Roger's Neighborhood

If you grew up watching PBS between 1968 and 2001 chances are you watched Mister Roger's Neighborhood. This show was viewed regularly after-school when I was a child. I can remember singing along " Who are the people in your neighborhood, the people that you meet each day." On Mister Roger's Neighborhood, the host, Fred Rogers, would greet the mailman, milkman, the conductor and other familiar faces in the neighborhood. Also during his show, he would speak of values such as kindness, gratitude and empathy. In real life, Fred Rogers had a degree in Divinity. He shared his values with millions of children for years until his show ended in 2001.

So why am I referencing this show?  What does it have to do with multi-sports?  I thought of him today. See here I was in a local duathlon in Maryland. I saw many smiling faces. Some athletes I met at my last event last weekend while others I have known for years.  Everyone was smiling and greeting each other. In that moment, it felt like I was in an episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. People were assisting each other. Total strangers were cheering on athletes and a big round of applause was given for the final finisher. It was amazing. It showed the best in people. The best in America.

Oh Yes!  I did the event. Not much to report. I am a rather average athlete/participant and very happy to finish. I am not particularly good at any aspect of multisport activities, but I show up to remind others and myself that learning is doing. Go have fun and learn. The course included a 2 mile run 13 mile run 2 mile run. It was a quite challenging course for me. This is my first year participating in a full season of events monthly.  Since January, I decided I wanted to challenge myself. You can read my former posts on past events. I am learning alot about multisports. Now that I can swim proficiently, I realized that my cycling skills need work. I am tentative on hills and fear falling while clipped in.

My goal today was to survive the hilly bike course on a hot and humid day. I did. I declare success. As my buddy said reminded me, "Stacy, the bulk of multisports, either duo or tri, is on the bike. It is all about the bike."  I never realized this but he is right. As much as I LOVE my sneakers and fear the swim, I realize I must spend some time on the bike.

For now, I shall smile and keep swimming, cycling and running.

It is all about the journey....

Results:

I finished 27/101 finishers not too shabby for the girl smiling and waving to people on the course. I guess I should be more serious. Not😀😀😀 8 th/20 Females 45-49 group. 27th/101 overall Stacy Winters Number 134 Age:46 3 RD place in T1: 16:38.8 8:19 pace. transition-2:15.4 13 th place. Bike: 54:29.1 14.3 mph. 10th place. 2:07.6.transition 3rd place 18:03.0 9:02. Run 1:33:33.9 Final. 1:33:36.4

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