A place to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of my MS diagnosis.

Friday, July 24, 2009

My Olympic Triathlon experience

I did something I've never done in a race when I completed an olympic distance triathlon last weekend. I didn't time myself.

Sure, I knew my exact time and all my splits would be available for review by the evening (they were, by email), but there was only one measure I was interested in. Would I complete it, or would I not?

It was a pretty good test of willpower, but quitting really become an option to consider. I swam 1.5km, biked 40 km and ran... well, ran is an overstatement... 10 km. I was plodding, but comfortable for all but the run. Other than the soreness and the tired body, it feels pretty good.

I like these races as a very visceral way I can "fight MS." MS tries to take away some of my physical abilities, I try and keep them. It's not the whole picture of my life, it's not even the biggest piece. It is, however, something I'm careful not to neglect. Having physical ability and mobility keeps life pretty easy. I might not always have it, so I'll use it now.