by Jim R.

The Experience Triathlon group shook off the cobwebs of all the off-season training we do during those cold dark days of winter at Galena this last weekend. All those long runs in the cold winter months, all those dark days or evenings in the CT “cave” or our basements, and all those early morning Master’s swim sessions were about to pay dividends in our first race.

You could feel the excitement and anticipation of the beginning of the race season with each person you met. There were huge smiles on everyone’s faces, there was anticipation to a new season, getting reacquainted to friends you hadn’t seen in awhile, and there was a promise of growth in the air, growth as individuals, as a team, and as athletes. For some of us it was our first triathlon and for others it was their tenth but all of us had the vision of being a better person/athlete.  Why else would we endure all the off-season training?  What we didn’t know was that our plans for growth were about to be tested.

Most races in May are usually in the high 60’s at the height of the day.  Saturday, May 19^th started at that temperature and just went up from there and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. All the ET athletes were going to be tested; it was a mentally tough day and a good day to grow as an athlete.

Triathlon at its very core is an extreme sport no matter what distance and its participants are a naturally driven group to succeed at whatever they do. This trait in us coupled with the day that presented itself for the Galena Triathlon did not make for winning combination. However without fail we all crossed that finish line with a smile; we all dug deep within ourselves and overcame whatever our personal demons were; we succeeded under very tough conditions; we found untapped strength that maybe we didn’t know we had; we grew as athletes; and we grew as a team and became better people because of it.

“If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs, you can be a winner.” – Anonymous

Again without exception everyone kept their wits about them, correctly adjusted their race plan, and finished the race due to their own personal strengths and the support of the ET Team and Cheer Crew.

I think we all learned a little bit more about ourselves this day and hope we take this learning into our daily lives and future races.

Thanks to the ET Cheer Crew for enduring the day with us, in a lot of ways I think your part is harder than what we as athletes endure, your unending support is always appreciated far more than you’ll ever know and is never taken for granted.

Enjoy all the Galena Triathlon and Duathlon pictures on the ET Photo Gallery.