OK I've been meaning to get this written since Saturday afternoon but it's so hard to put into words how incredible this race was for me. Statistically I had a great day, shaving 11:30 off of my time from last year, despite the facts that I got my goggles knocked off on the swim, had a terrible time getting my wetsuit off AND my chain fell off once during the bike. Here's the link s you can look up my personal results if you so desire.
Now looking at this from an emotional standpoint, it was a very meaningful race. More so than last year I really had no focus on my time and personal goals and all my focus on why the team was racing that day and all the people we were racing in honor and in memory of. After a very emotional mission moment from one of our teammates prior to the race start, I think we all knew in our hearts this race was just the bittersweet icing on the cake. We have worked hard and raised money for a great cause, something so much bigger than ourselves. Hearing stories of loved ones lost to Leukemia or Lymphoma makes us all want to work that much harder. Being part of this team now for three years, I not only race in honor of Nikki but also in memory of Dana's dad, Becca's dad, McKenna, in honor of Alicia's mother in law, Eric, T.J., Heidi, Josh....the list goes on and on.
A few of us that were on last year's team all agreed that for some reason, this year we took the blinders off while we were on the course. I stopped obsessing about speed and just enjoyed the race. Who knew the Lifetime course was so beautiful?? I was so happy with the race and felt so good at the end!
Pictures from race day and the Victory party (more will be added as I get them)
So now TNT has concluded for another year and I will miss the team trainings. But I have no intention of NOT returning next year. There is even rumor of a half iron team next year... :)
Now it's on to the Chisago Half Iron in two weeks.
1 comment:
Kris, you're an amazing blessing to my life and the lives of so many others. Thank you for all you do and for taking a stubborn guy like myself and forcing me to look outward instead of inward. You've helped to change my life as with the lives of so many others.
This is the first time I've done a race that was entirely about other people. And it won't be the last. I'm SO going to be on that half iron team (if I get a bike that doesn't blow that is...)
Congratulations on a job well done. Now you know why I do all this crazy stuff each weekend. Because if your focus really is right, it's an amazing amount of fun. Oh, the runner's high and the burned calories aren't bad side effects either.
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