Oct. 17 2010. You learn why it is so amazingly special.

Toay was tri day.  Tri short for triathlon and try to try if you can actually do a triathlon.  I can never explain whay triathlon is so special but as I learned today it is tons of times harder than what it looks like.  I slept well last night, no worries and no nervousness.  I was in total control.  As I woke up this morning I knew I had made my first mistake.  I felt slow, fat and bloded.  I should have definately kept my regular diet instead of carbo loading.  Upon reflexion, who was I kidding I have plenty to still go around.  What was done was done.  I had a feeling that today was going to be a good day just like the song says.  It was an amazing day.  The plan was simple I was going to finish my first triathlon no matter the time, and believe me folks short of breaking my neck I was going to finish this event even on my hands and knees.  I had good company as my son Jochi would pace me the whole race and push me thru the dificult parts.  The course was tough, it had some hills on a 3 mile out and back course so the hills had to be climed 4 times each.  As I always do I dressed in Team Jochi colors and off we go to the transition.  Folks today something incredible happened, I went to this triathlon as the simplest of steps to be reached on my way to the Ironman.  It turned out to be life changing.  As I arrived I soon realized I was not doing my first tri, Team Jochi was introducing a new member to the triathlon comunity and it was a huge event.  Team Jochi and its purpose has come together in recognition from everyone at a mayor event!!!  As I was being marked I knew I had already arrived in first place because my son had influenced hundreds!!!!!!

As we arrived at transition I was greeted by all the great volunteers at the entrance for bike check and marking.  Jochi was greeted as royalty.  Everyone knew him and Team Jochi was on everyones mouths.  I could not believe what impact our efforts had on people.  We set up and went to the starting line.  I felt fine.  It had been 6 weeks since I started training after almost 20 years of zero excercise.  It felt good real good.  No butterflys nothing I was just waiting to be released.  The plan was to swim in 20-25 minutes so that I had plenty left for the bike and the run.  I knew I could swim a lot faster but I also knew I had two other disciplines to finish.  You must crawl before you can walk.  We entered the water in the back spaces as not get into the mess and take it easy.  In a few seconds I learned my first lesson.  Probably half of the people that went all out at the start were falling back 200 mts into the race.  In a short time there was no way to avoid a crowd of slowing people that were right in your way.  It became very hard to keep a pace and settle in.   As I take a look ahead for the marker I see a crowd around us then an open space about 50 mts ahead and then the lead pack.  Jochi by my side and obviously looking strong, I mean he was waiting on his old man.  I get his attention and say "lets make a pull for that hole and we can sttle there".  Before long we are in the clear and starting to get a rythm.  But not for long.  It took only seconds to get surrounded by more swimers slowing down.  By know we are on the first run on the beach in for the second lap.  As I entered the water again I knew then I was in trouble.  I could not control my breathing and I felt fine but I knew I was breathing to fast.  As it turns out I had made my second mistake because I did not look at my watch to see what my time was on the first lap.  I just gave it I was a slow guy!!!  We kept on going but I made every effort posible to get control.  As we turned home for the last time I slowed down as I had planned but even as all my training in breathing out of both sides was working to perfection I found my self with sloppy form and breathing every stroke.  We reached the beach and started our run to T1.  The time??  15:23, a super time in the water but it was just too fast.  If I would have checked my watch I would have noticed it on the first lap, but I didn't and now it was time to deal with the problem.  My heart rate was very high and I was very winded for that first hill right after mounting on the bike.  I arrived at T1 as Jochi encouraged me, I was dying but I was happy, having him by my side gave me all the confidence I needed.  He would not see me quit, no way on earth.  However as we ran out to the bike course I told him I had to take it easy for a moment and that I was very winded and high on my heart rate.  We finally mount and head out on the bike.  I felt strong but no air.  I climed that first hill with pure power only as I was breathing as hard as I could.  It took the first whole lap to get some sense of control over my breathing and my heart rate.  I kept on drinking as planned and I must say I suffered thru the rest of the course.  I knew I was not fast but I was giving evrything I humanly could and that was good enough for me.  I was happy.  I felt my pressure skyrocket as I got a huge headahce but who cared I kept going.  As I was on that bike course I felt miserable phisically but at the same time the most magnificent thing was evolving all around me, and I realized what made this so great.

I learned a while back that young people have a potential that most people will never allow them to fully develop.  I have a little friend who all of you know by now.  Winter Vineki is 12 years old and at that age has tought my whole family what young people can really do.  Jochi and Winter have become friends and slowly but truly Jochi has been learning from Winter.  Quietly, as I learned today.  See Winter influences people anywhere she goes.  Her smile and personality is just so contagious, and all you need is a minute of your time and you will be hooked permanetly.  She influences thru her charity, Team Winter and she is the focus of that name and that effort.  But wait, not for a second think this is just a cute a little girl.  NO, NO, NO, this a champion triathlete, marathoner, and downhill skier.  It is a remarkable story.  We had been looking up to Winter for a while know and working hard to help Jochi and Team Jochi  do the same good that Team Winter does nationaly, here locally, and with an impact on society.  Today as we rode that bike course I was constantly hearing and listening to what we had done.  As we went out and back 4 times almost all the riders recognized Team Jochi and Jochi.  They are constantly yelling "go Jochi, go" and all his Ironman friends go by and offer their draft and their help for Team Jochi to get up to the front.  They recognized Jochi's plan for the race as his stuck with me at a very slow pace and soon people cought on.  Soon as we rode by all of the volunteers and almost all the police force blocking the street had something to say to Jochi as we passed by.  At one point I was like, wait a minute is there a race going on or is this a Team Jochi event".  I guess police and spectators would ask the volunteers what Jochi was about and by lap 4 they all knew.  It was a magical moment.  I felt so honored and happy that finally the triathlon comunity in PR has a way to impact lives that need help and that they can do that thru Team Jochi and Jochi.  My son, can ask for more.

So, we arrive at dismount and run over to T2.  I sit on the floor to get my socks on which at that point insulted Jochi, but that's fine he was pushing his old man, and that is welcomed.  We head out to the run and believe it or not I was able to get in control while on the bike, obviously at the expense of going slow but who cared I just wanted to finish.  I felt tired but pretty good.  As we head out about 400 mts into the run it happened.  My back!!!  It just could not take the pounding any more.  I knew I was not hurt but my core strength is not there so I got tight really fast.  A few meters after that I found myself walking.  I felt I was done.  Not done with the tri I would finish no matter what.  I was done running.  I asked Jochi to walk with me to the top of the hill and as we got there I told him to take off and run the rest of his race and have fun.  I told him people wanted to see him race and he should give them that priviledge.  Off like the wind he went not before asking for assurance that I would be fine.  As he disappeared into the curve I stoped and got on the floor to strech out.  I did not want him to see me do this because then he would never leave me there.  I was in pain but I knew I had to keep moving.  The pain would come and go so I knew it was a matter of keeping it under control.  I ran and walked as I could until I reached the turn around.  My frame of mind then was already diffrent.  I have to tell you I was mad, no mad is wrong, after all this is my blog.  I was pissed every time someone passed me.  This was the end of the racers as we know it and I knew I was faster than most of the ones passing me.  My competitive spirit was in rage.  If I could just get my back in order.  Remember toose 19 years of rage I need to get rid of.  Well here was an oportunity to dump some of it. As I headed back I ran longer and walked shorter.  Here comes my third mistake.  Ok I will run faster for shorter periods and gain more ground as I do that.  Right!! Wrong!!!  A cramp, and a big one too, on my right quadracept muscle.  Now I am in real trouble.  I grabbed the first post I found and did not hesitate for a second and pulled it as hard as I could.  It worked, cramp gone for now but I was tender so any big effort and it would be back.  By now I am about 300 mts from the top of the hill to start my way down to the last water table and then on to the finish line.  As I reached the top of the hill it was time to run.  I made up my mind, no more stopping, period.  Off I went and down the hill I ran.  I was greeted about 1/4 mile from the water table by an already finisher Jochi who came back to make sure I finished in one piece.  As we run by a group of police one of them steps out to the road and says to me, "you are an example to many parents, go Team Jochi".  I could not believe it!!!  I went down for my drink turned around and up we go one last time into the park for the finish line.  I am meet by a socond finisher and a good friend who has been supporting Team Jochi from day 1 unconditionally.  She is the owner of VIP Gym where Jochi, Gabi and soon me train.  Mary jo you are the baest.  An avid marathoner she came back to help me finish.  As I crossed the bridge it all came together.  Is it possible?  Did I really do this?  Can it be done?  I mean can you really influence people and make a diffrence by being part of something much bigger even if the leaders are a young lady 12 years old and a teenager 13 years old? Do people even care why you do this?  Is my story at all relevant?  The answer, ABSOLUTELY!!!

I crossed the finish line in tears of joy and rejuvination.  I had the best feeling in the world as I learned why it is so amazingly special!!!!!

I want to thank all the participants, volunteers, police, and organizers of the San Juan Triathlon.  It was an event to remember.  To all our friends and all of you yelling GO JOCHI we were listening and we will be in full force in the events to come.  We thank you from our hearts for your friendship and your support.  See you next week in Arroyo!!!!!