connect three photography

We all know that phrase, right?  I’m sure someone has told it to you at one time or another.  But, it sure is easier said than done!

As you know, I spent the entire summer training for my big race that took place this past Monday.  I packed all my stuff the night before, got up at 4am and was at the race site at 5:15am.  Race started at 8am, and by8:20am, I was DONE.    Yes, done!   Unfortunately, I had a difficult time breathing during the swim portion of the triathlon, and I made the decision to pull myself out of the race.    It was the hardest decision I’ve had to make to date in triathlon.   I was quickly lifted out of the water and put on a boat, and taken back to shore.  I cried the entire way.   I cried when I was packing my stuff up.  I cried on my drive back home.  I cried myself to sleep that night.

Sure, all my friends have told me how this happens to everyone at one point or another, how I need to get back on the horse, how I should think about all the other accomplishments I did this summer, etc.  Yeah, it’s all true, but it’s hard to believe right now.  It’s been 4 days, and I’m still upset and angry about what happened, but I think I’ve stopped crying at least.

I’ll definitely be tri’ing again, but not without a lot of thought first.  It would be really easy for me to give this triathlon stuff up, especially since I’m not the fastest person around, but I refuse!   So, I might be a little scarred, but you’ll see me back out there again next season.   Here’s a quick photo taken by one of our team photographers, Tom Marek, right before the start of the race.   Just a few of my teammates who were racing/volunteering that morning.

Photo credit: Tom Marek

The day I’ve been training for all summer is finally here.  On Monday, Labor Day, I’ll be doing my first olympic distance triathlon in Downtown Austin, TX!   All my teammates who are doing it are pretty excited about the race, but I’ll admit, I’m a little skeerd.   The water is supposed to be on the cold side, and I don’t like swimming in cold water.  I borrowed a wetsuit, that I’ll probably wear, but I haven’t had any practice in it.  Then there is the run, the worst part of the tri for me.   I’ll just take it one mile at a time.  I just hope the rain stays away and it doesn’t get over 100°F!

I do know one thing, though, there are going to be a bunch of photographers out there on the course taking photos.  You BET I’ll be smiling BIG in each one of them if I see them ahead of time.  I mean, that’s one of the reasons why I do this, to look like a bad ass in the photos!   One of the other reasons I do this is for the medal you get when you cross the finish line!  Wish me luck!