My Triathlon Family

This children's book reflects a relatively new and growing sport. Actually, it is more than a sport, it is a lifestyle. This lifestyle is the sport of triathlon. I have been involved in the sport since the summer of 1995. I got involved through one of my brothers. Having been blessed with pretty good genetics in regards to athletics, I signed up for my first triathlon, Mrs. T's triathlon in Chicago, IL.

Having a reckless arrogance towards sports, I did not train for this event. I figured I would adapt to this new sport as easily as all the others.

On race morning I was ready to go. I waited ankle deep, at the front of a pack of 100 swimmers, in Lake Michigan for the starting horn to blow.

The horn went off, and I was gone. I was caught in about 20 seconds and proceeded to be kicked, elbowed and shoved as I was swam over. I tried to regain my composure but the pummeling continued. I started to get a little concerned and began looking for a lifeboat. I spotted one and struggled in that direction. The life guard manning this boat recognized my conflict and hauled me into his boat. After rescuing three more people, we were dropped off on shore, disqualified but allowed to finish the race if we desired to.

A little shaken, I quickly gained respect for this new sport. Back in the 1990's, this sport was just seen as something that "triathletes" (whomever these people were) did. Where did these people come from and why would they put themselves through such punishment.

I came away from my first experience with the sport of triathlon feeling, like no pun intended, a "fish out of water." Where I once felt confident and well rounded, I was now uneasy and wondering if I should walk away from this new sport. Looking back, I can see that the sport of triathlon demands some of the same qualities as life.

Triathlon is no longer for the super fit, or the gifted athletes. It is for the young and the old, heavy and thin, healthy and sick and even those with a handicap. Everyone has there own reason for competing in this sport. Something different drives each of them. Perhaps triathlon may mimic some of life's struggles and they are here to conquer them.

Triathlon demands diversity, motivation, intensity, strength, patience, endurance and the ability to transition. The sport of triathlon has changed my life in many ways. I have conquered.

There are so many different types of triathletes. There are slow and steady triathletes. People racing others in their age group. People racing the clock. And of course, the pro's of the sport. The diversity of this sport is what makes it so great. As the years go by, I have been able to appreciate so much more about life through this sport. It is not about the race, it is about the journey getting to the race.

Enjoy the journey, it may be the best part. The race may just be the icing on the cake!

I have been able to learn to enjoy the journey. This journey has become a lifestyle.

I met my wife at a triathlon in 2001. Our paths crossed as she is active in marathons and was volunteering at this triathlon with some friends.

We were married the next year and welcomed our first child soon after.

We continue our triathlon lifestyle with our son. He really enjoys riding in the baby carrier behind dad's bike. Our son loves to be read to. He enjoys turning the pages and pointing to the pictures.

My wife and I noticed that there are very few children's books about the sports that make up triathlon, let alone triathl