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Diamondman Triathlon




T-minus one~Breathe, Beats and Breaths

Two weeks ago, I planned on completing the Chicago tri to honor my friend who passed away from cancer, but I did not complete that triathlon.  Today, I participated in the Diamondman triathlon in Delaware.   In six months, a beautifully, vibrant 50-something was gone.  Her birthday is September 7.  Her name started with a T.  As I slowly watched my friend drift from this realm into another, I learned the meaning of breathing, beats and breath.  I am humbled still. 

You know the beginning of the triathlon when you have done all the training and the race announcer counts down 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 3, 2,……. 1.  In that one second everything becomes a blur, at least it does for me.  I start with simple and slow breathing.  I look to the sky to capture air and the sea to exhale.  Today, I remember looking up at the sky. It was beautiful. The moon was still out.  Stars were not visible, but still there.  I thought of my friend.

I finished the swim, wiped out. Physically, I was wiped out due to swimming in 68 degree water. I expended more energy than I would have liked. Mentally, I was grateful to finish the swim. 1374 yards~34 minutes.

T1- Beat up, but breathing.  I spent 9 minutes in transition.  I was so cold. It was 54 degrees and I simply had a difficult time getting warm.  I reminded  myself of my friend.  How uncomfortable she was during chemo and still went to work.  I took some time and grabbed a jacket, socks and kept my ear plugs in from the swim because my ears were hurting from the cold (Also, I had busted ear drum some time ago).   I journeyed on.  14.5 miles ~16.2 miles  (BTW, I never warmed up on the bike).

Running brings me peace. I have done it for 25 years now. The course was a trail run. I was surprised by the trail course, but felt confident since I have done several trail runs. I did not have my trail sneakers and almost fell twice.   While out on the course under a canopy of trees with grass under my feet, I remember taking a deep breath.  I was doing my best to make up as much time as I could from the swim and bike. I said to myself
“just breath.” I ran between 7:50-10:00 on parts of the course due to the terrain.  Before I knew it, I was on the final patch of grass turning toward the finish.  I breathed and in that breath it was over.  3.4 miles ~ 8.58 min/mile

This race allowed me to reflect how life comes down to heartbeats and breaths.  I gave all I could today.  I summoned the strength and bravery of my friend as she courageously battled in her final days.  She fought hard.  Although she is not here physically, she lives. She lives all who loved her.  She is transformed. Like carbon become diamonds. 

This is the second friend I’ve had who has passed away due to Pancreatic Cancer in 3 years.  I hope a cure will come in my lifetime.   Today, I am T-minus one.

Miss you T~ Continue to shine bright like a Diamond.

Second Season of Triathlon is officially over.

The journey continues.

Coach Stacy


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