Skip to main content

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


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

2021 Fort Ritchie Olympic Triathlon

General thoughts about the Fort Ritchie Olympic Triathlon and the race experience.       On August 1, 2021, I participated in a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. If you want stats, splits, watts, etc. you will find none of it here.    Why?    It’s not what is important to me in participating in triathlon. It’s not my why! I signed up for the local race in Cascade, Maryland because I knew it would challenge me mentally and physically. My expectations were to finish and learn.  This race was not wetsuit legal and a USAT championship series race.    I knew it would bring out some spectacular athletes from the area.    But I also knew this, I have never swam in open water without a wetsuit.    Never.    Stacy motto- Safety first.  I will not put myself or others at risk for me to race.    I quietly spoke to the race director and he nodded that I could do the race but would not race in my...

The Reflections on COVID-19 from Generation X

When you grow up with less, you learn how to make a dollar out 15 cents See Langston was right. Life ain’t no crystal stair and grit is only a new concept to the comfortable living high on Maslow’s hierarchy. See when you grow up with little, you can make something out of nothing. You know how to create calm in the chaos.  We know how to maximize with minimal. We’ve been living the game of Chutes and Ladders.  We’ve been watching those who sit securely in the cushy desks slide down the chute while others who have been the backbone of this nation climb up the ladder to save her. See Patti told us Your Ams to Short to box with God. She’s right you know But this is all about show Healthcare is a human right Nah, I’m not one to pick a fight But... Like Stevie said we living on the edge of.. COVID-19 So forgive me this may sound mean For all of those who were against Obamacare and said it was like Government cheese Give your check to essential workers please A...

Workout with Friends-Nov. 2015

In November 2015, I decided to  sign up for 10 k. As I have stated before I don't particularly like races. They give me anxiety and I don't need them to validate me. I workout rigorously and regularly so my attitude toward races had to change.  So I decided to view them as workouts with friends. So there I was at the Bay Bridge 10k with thousands of runners. The weather was perfect. I saw a few familiar smiling faces from my local running club and Facebook. Attitude is everything. Regardless of the outcome, I was determined to have a great run and I did. I am not outcome focused in races, I focus on the process. Each step counts. I focus on each breathe and how my body feels. I felt great. There is nothing like visceral feedback. Did I care about my time? Nope. Did I have a great time. Yup . It was in that moment that I decided that I must do more workout with friends.