Triathalon Pictures

Some of the professional pictures taken at the triathalon I did are up on the internet. I still haven't rounded up my friends pictures yet, as soon as I do I'll put them on the blog. But if you want to see some good action shots go to hawaiiphotoman.com - then click on events by date, 2007 races, Kukio Challenge respectively. The pictures are grouped into categories and I am in - Kukio Swim # 272, Kukio Run # 383, Kukio Finsih # 634-638 (I am a little disappointed that I don't look nearly as tired or beat-up at the finish as I felt), there are also some gorgeous picutres of the race site under Kukio General # 073-094. Take a look and let me know what you think. It was an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade. Miss you all!

Kukio Challenge

Today I did my first "triathalon". It consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, 3 mile run and 4 mile paddle. And I finished . . . Second to dead last. I truly can't believe that I finished it, because more than once I said to myself, I'm done, I have no more. I had to dig deep for this one . . . really deep. I finished so far behind that they had already taken down the bouyes that marked the end of the paddle. But, almost last gets some serious cheers. I remember watching Ironman a few years back, the race starts at 7 am and at 11pm people are still crossing the finish line, and the people who cross just before the 12am cutoff are the most fun to see finish, they are the people who you know had to dig really deep to get there. This triathalon was only minor, and everyone does it for fun, the money to enter goes to a "protect the beaches" type of foundation, but to me it was a huge accomplishment. I been too scared to try so many different things in my life, and finally I said to myself, I have always wanted to do something like this, what could it hurt to just try? What's the worst that could happen, "I come in last?", or second to dead last?. I love staying fit, and being out in all the beauty that this island has to offer, and too often I forget get caught up in work and school, and don't enjoy it. So I decided fear is no longer going to hold me back, and why not start with conquereing a fear at the top of the list? Then the road only gets easier from there right? So I entered and spent the last week in pure, intense fear. But it's over and I actually finished. It was so hard not to give up when outriggers are flying, literally flying past me as my arms and back ached. The final half mile I had the water-patrol jet skis on each side of me encouaging me and telling me, "you're almost there" when I could see with my eyes I was not almost there, not even close. But I didn't give up and I finished, and I feel sooo good! So, on high from the race my small accomplishment, I suggest to anyone who will listen to conquer a fear, you'll never feel dissappointed if you try, and there will be one less thing (on hopefully an already short list) of things in your life you wish you'd done.

I will post some pictures of the race, and my very haggered looking self very soon. I have to collect pictures from people because in my emotional turmoil before the race I forgot my camera.

Maybe next year we should get together a family relay team ehhh? Abbie . . . I know the run would've been a cake-walk for you . . . (just think about it) we could kick some serious booty, and maybe not come in second to dead last. Love You All!