by Rob K.

This year’s ET Batavia Triathlon was my second tri and was much better than my first. I cut my swim time in half!  I owe that to my ET masters swim class and help from Coach Joe and my other swim coaches.  I’ve also made significant improvements in my biking thanks to Coach Sarah and the Experience Triathlon group rides.  I’m now looking forward to the Racine 70.3 Ironman on July 21.  This is something I didn’t think was possible a year ago.

One incident from the ET Batavia Tri is worth sharing and illustrates what makes our sport great.  As I was lined up waiting along the edge of the quarry (along with hundreds of other swimmers) waiting for my turn to hit the water, I noticed a woman who had just started her swim and seemed to stop out of fear.  She paddled to the edge of the quarry and made her way to a ladder and hung on.  Everyone was watching.  She pushed off and started swimming again but hesitated and turned back to the ladder.  At this point many silently thought her race was over and that she would climb out.  To everyone’s surprise, she put on a look of determination, pushed off and continued her swim, this time all the way around the quarry.  Everyone cheered and clapped.  I had to smile – not just for her grit but also because of the support of fellow triathletes who have been there and know that anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

“I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.” ~ Gale Sayers