My daughter Laura completed her first triathlon this weekend. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that she would ever do such a thing!
She calls me one day in February and tells me that she's decided to join Team In Training to see what it was like. Imagine my surprise, the kid that groaned her way through running the mile in middle and high school - and around a track, at that!...A triathlete?! So she began to train. I followed in disbelief as she would stop by the house after running 7 miles in the Marin Headlands, or after grueling 30-mile bike rides through the local hills. She would get up and be in the pool at 8 am after partying the night before, or show up with grease on her arms and legs after fighting with her bike. She endured aches and pains - knees, back, hips...only to be supported by her coach and the amazing team that included chiropractors and physical therapists who were there for the athletes (yes, I guess that makes Laura an athlete!) for the benefit of this amazing fundraiser.
Laura had to raise $3,000...not an easy target for her friend population that collectively probably share a few hundred dollars amongst them since many are unemployed or still students. She gently reminded her loyal friends, friend of friends, parents of friends, friends of parents...Please support the cause, she asked! She held a fundraiser at Yancy's and collected random prizes for a raffle. Little by little, steady but sure, the kid raised the money, a few dollars at a time, with a few "larger" gifts from incredibly generous donors she made it over the top.
She began to taper. And she began to be anxious. As race day approached, the old familiar competition jitters she fought in her high school swim team days made their appearance. She began to count down. And she pleaded and pleaded for me to be there for her. I just couldn't decide. Many of her friends were committed to go, why not Mom?! But I was tired. It was so far away. I didn't feel like camping. I was so busy that "losing" a weekend seemed daunting.
But I finally came to my senses: I was going to be there for her. If she could train, fundraise and sacrifice, I thought, how could I not push myself and do whatever necessary to be there?! Was I nuts to even waffle about it?!
I rose early on Sunday morning, drove the 3 hours to the event, and there she was, in her gear - and in her ever-classy style, donning pearls. She is probably the first and only triathlete to compete wearing pearls, a fitting statement for "The Fashionista"!
As the minutes counted off until the first splash, I watched in admiration as Laura, that once-pudgy, unathletic kid squeezed in to her wetsuit. I watched with excitement as the crowd cheered. I watched with emotion as the team ran in the water to begin the first leg of the race. Laura's fans cheered as she ran in...We cheered as she finished the swim and she ran up the ramp, peeling off her wetsuit...We cheered as she got on to her bike and took off for the hills...We cheered as she rounded the corner on her return from the ride and she dismounted, running to her transition area to don her running shoes...And we cheered as she ran by, clapping hands and grinning broadly...
But nothing was so loud as the cheer as she came down the final stretch and across the finishing line, drenched in sweat, winded, but utterly joyous. SHE ACTUALLY MADE IT!! And in a decent 3:36...
Inspiration is different things to different people. That day, at that moment, I was deeply inspired by the power of the human spirit as seen through my daughter. I was inspired by the power of her risk-taking. The power to push herself to a limit previously unknown. The power of her doing something good for another human being. That day, at that moment, I truly felt blessed that I had not missed that very special moment, one that I will never forget.
I am so proud of you, Laura and feel so blessed to be your mother...Everyone should be so fortunate as to have a daughter like you...!!
Awww this is cute!
But, I like how you act like I've never been an athlete before - what about those years 7 years where I swam and played water polo!?
Posted by: Laura | May 07, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Truly inspiring, Cynthia and I mean both daughter AND mother - - thanks for sharing. Craig
Posted by: Craig Vercruysse | May 22, 2009 at 10:19 PM