Is this working?
On June 26, 2010 - 1000 hopeful Tri-Athletes will pour into Wickiup Reservoir near Sun River Oregon... their breath falling short and chest clenching from the near freezing temperatures. They will pull their way through a 1.2 mile swim, peddle through 56.3 miles of mountains and run another 13.1 miles to the finish at Sunriver Resort outside of beautiful Bend Oregon.
I am going to be one of them.
Assuming I finish (this is a bit iffy at this point) 4 to 9 hours later I will stumble across the finish line, collapsing into a bliss filled coma at the feet of my very overwork wife and two terribly impatient toddlers.
With any luck I will be so exhausted that I will be unable to hear or maybe comprehend the whining that will inevitability accompany my two wonderful children after waiting at the finish line for hours on end... I have to admit, I hope they will be there.
First off - who am I? What a messed up question is that??? Eight years ago, I would have answered with something like, "Oh, I am a Chemical Engineer." Six years ago, I would have blurted out, "I am an Operations Manager!" Three years ago, I would have proudly said, "I am a small business owner." Recently, I have come to realize that all of these things are all about what I do and not who I am.
Who I am is a imperfect soul who loves his family more than anything. My two little boys have showed me who I should be and my wifes forgiving love keeps me on track. I am the reflection in my families eyes.
What am I doing? I am trying to get some accountability around a very serious challenge. My wife and children will love me regardless of whether or not I finish this race... all of you - I hope not!
What is this blog about? Taking a 10K race ready athelete to a 1/2 Iron Man ready athelete, all the while maintaining my marrage and continuing to be the Dad my boys deserve. This journey will last 6 months and will come to completion on June 26th, 2010.
