Hope Your Season is Going Well

Hey- I am an old hand and that is why I am going to spew. (by the end of this you will know why I am so big on bringing your kids etc into our events and activities)

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

Helen KellerUS blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)

We are in the middle of our tri season. I for one have had to deal with a lot of medical stuff - stinosous in the back between L4 and L5 (whatever that means)and shin splints. I signed up for Vineman in November and the San Francisco Marathon in January figuring I would be in shape. Then I wreaked my back in January making my daughter furniture and got shin splints in the San Diego Tri for whatever reason 3 weeks ago. I was signed up to do the Vineman with my son and the marathon with my daughter a week later. Here I am committed to do these races with the people I love the most in the world and I don't want to "DNF" (did not finish).


Our tri community stepped in. I went to Victor Leach a good guy, club sponsor and chiropractor, he said I could make it and treated me with his ART methods. Thanks Victor I was going to bail on the event so that is exactly what I needed to hear. He told me to see his buddy Pat for another treatment at the Vineman expo - Pat said I could make it too. I met Al one of the new guys in the club at the expo and he quoted Dave Wignall another tri veteran and club member who says when he is having a bad day "what else do I have to do today".

I was optimistic but on race day despite everyones hopes I realized after the first quarter mile on the run I was screwed but I did not want to give up and I didn't. I walked the run except for mile 5 where I shuffle ran - but I made it a 3:15 run - oh well.



The SF Marathon was the following Sunday - 7 days away. I massaged my shin using Victors methods. I was in better shape than before the tri and on race day I was able to complete the marathon ( I ran 16 and walked- ran the rest) with my daughter.

I have two points: first-we need each other to help us through difficult times, secondly-this is a learning sport where you learn the difference between severe discomfort and the impossible. If you do this stuff long enough you will experience the same thing. Don't be afraid and don't give up, talk to others. We are people who other people admire and really the only thing that separates us is that we don't give up.

Thanks for your support LV Tri Club,





We are endurance altheletes - we don't go down easily. I met my goals - to do a half ironman with my son and a marathon with my daughter - who cares about the time. When you meet your deamons - tell them that you have a race to finish, they will have to wait until tomorrow.

Congratulations to all of you - we are in a great sport !!