Support, Love and Contentment

I recall from last year, upon completing my 160 mile bike ride for charity, that I felt very different.

I suppose it is because once I set a goal, and then achieve it... the whole thing is an out of body experience. Last year I felt very restless.

This year, I feel content.

Contentment isn't something that sticks around for very long. Well, contentment seems to be a fleeting feeling if my blog posts from the past year and a half tell me anything.

I'm hoping I can hold on to it for a while.

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I was very pleased at my overall time for completing the triathlon.

I was also very happy to share the entire experience with my mom and my friend Gem. I have done many cycling events on my own.

The experience is so much more fulfilling with someone to share it with.

I enjoyed seeing so many men and children giving support, love and encouragement to their wives, moms and girlfriends at the tri. Though I didn't have my girls or a man there to support me, I felt so loved.

Mom rode with me the 3.5 hours to where the event was to be held. Mom went to every pre-race event, helped me to set up my bike and drove the bike course with me. Mom went to the grocery store with me to pick out all of the food/nutrition I would need to eat prior to and during the race. Mom made sure I got a good night's sleep the night before.

And it was Mom who greeted me after I crossed the finish line with proud tears in her eyes.

I received texts from a few of you and other friends in my life all weekend. So many of you left wonderful encouraging comments on Friday's post as well. I loved to hear about those of you who might be inspired to set your own goals, athletic or otherwise. I had to finish it, not only for myself, but for all of you too!

During the final leg of the race, right at the last quarter mile, I was finally able to tell myself, "I've done it. I am actually there. I will be a triathlete."

And I could hear you all!

I could hear all of the wonderful words of support and love from all of you! I couldn't wait to tell all of you about the experience. I felt so strong in that moment.

Then I heard the crowd cheering, the announcer calling out from the finish line, and all of you in my head. A second wind kicked in and I ran proud and strong through to the finish!

What an amazing experience. I collapsed into fits of tears in my mom's arms. We were both a mess!

I am so glad she was there.

I am so glad to have Gem and Mom there to high five me as I came out of the lake. I loved hearing them yell to me as I nervously changed from my biking shoes to my running shoes. I loved sitting with Gem and Mom after the race and sharing a champagne toast with my friend KK.

KK - thank you for encouraging me to do this. Your enthusiasm is infectious! I can't wait to rock the next tri with you!!

And all of you - thank you so much for sticking by and reading as I struggled through learning how to swim and the emotional anxiety of preparing for this event.

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Next time, I would very much like to have my girls come along.

My kids are very proud of their mom and are both enjoying the medal that was given to me upon completion of the triathlon. They have some idea of what I did, mostly because their dad made sure to tell them to "take it easy" on me when I arrived home last night.

I think, if my girls were there to cheer me on, I would be even more of an emotional mess. Those sweet girls have saved my life over and over again. I would love for them to see me in such the state of vulnerability and strength... different from what they see every day.

I would love to have them see me working so hard towards a goal that they would see accomplished right before their eyes!

I would love to inspire them to set their own goals and know that whatever it is they want to do, NOTHING should stop them. NOTHING should get in their way. The world is theirs for the taking!

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Honestly, I am very humbled right now.

I discovered a new motto in life nearly two years ago.

Never say Never.


I know how to set goals. I know that I'm hardheaded enough to achieve them. But I never thought I'd do something like this. I never thought I could complete a triathlon. Me? I never did anything athletic in school. I would never have referred to myself as an athlete.

I feel such love. I feel so peaceful. I feel so quietly content.

I know that I can do anything.

And I choose to do nothing at all but enjoy the love and support that is a constant in my life.

I am truly blessed.