My Sister – A True Inspiration - or at least strong enough to drag a body across the finish line
July 12, 2006
Written by Deb (mom to Chase, sister to Jes)
[Deb]
Recently, Jes and I committed to doing a mini-triathlon. Talk about exciting! When we first made the commitment I was pumped. I had big dreams of being seriously athletic and crushing all other competitors. Early one morning I got on my bike to start training for this portion of the race – my dreams were crushed in the first 2 miles. After twenty minutes of sheer torture through the hills in our neighborhood, I got off and thought to myself “what a blooming idiot, Deborah!” Was I too old for this, too out of shape or just too physically and mentally weak to gear myself up for such a big commitment?
I emailed Jes that morning and told her of my discouragement. She emailed me something back but because I’ve given birth I can’t remember much anymore, so I can’t remember what she said (but I’m sure it was sweet).
I saw her that Saturday at the lake. (Was that the day she almost sank the boat? I think it was!) We were talking about the triathlon again and my biking experience. I can’t remember exactly (there’s that baby brain again) what the words were that Jessica spoke but she put her arm around me and said something like “that’s why we are doing this together. We will be there to cheer each other on when it gets difficult and we’ll finish together – last if we have to.”
I swear that the sky opened up, a big bright light came upon us and the heavens sang out “ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh”. I know this little story may sound funny but on a serious note, there is nothing else that could have been said to me to inspire me more. I was excited and ready to kick some butt again. So excited that the following Monday when we returned to lake we allowed Lou (Jes' dad) to drop us off on the side of the boating lane and we swam for what he said was about 500 yards. Some of that swimming was not in a straight line, but hey: swimming in a lake when you can only see two feet in front of you ain’t that easy, people.
So now each time I get on the bike, ride a few miles, hop off and walk/run for a few more miles I think of the inspiring words from my sister….which is usually followed by a few swear words (which I won’t repeat for the sake of tender ears)!
To my sister – thank you, love you and I’ll be proud to cross the finish line with you…even if we are last! Hopefully you won’t have to pull me across.
Comments
sweet sisters
or at least sweet in the "I'll drag your lazy butt all the way to the finish line so we can go stuff our faces with steak and ice cream after suffering though this dang mini-tri"
that kind of sweet i mean
Posted by: Katie | July 12, 2006 12:51 PM
awwwww... I am totally in sweet sisters mode this week... you two are ADORABLE!!!
Posted by: Jayleigh | July 12, 2006 03:34 PM
Yay for sisters!!!
Posted by: Courtney | July 12, 2006 03:55 PM
So fun! I enjoy reading these tri posts. My hubby is training for his 2nd triathlon in September. And you're right, swimming straight in a lake is not easy! I kept looking at my watch wondering what in the world was taking him so long on the swim portion of his first tri. Yeah...he got lost. He kept having to stop and look around to find the markers. So do lots of open water swimming to practice! Good luck ladies!
Posted by: amelia | July 12, 2006 09:26 PM
I've been meaning to tell you how truly impressed I am with your undertaking. My best friend and I just started training for a half-marathon, and while 13.1 miles is really freaking long, there is no biking or swimming involved (I would so get lost in the lake!). Bonus points for difficulty. More bonus points for the genetic component.
You guys are totally going to do it.
Posted by: Horrible Warning | July 12, 2006 10:13 PM