I sat down tonight to write a race review on the triathlon I participated in last Saturday. I was going to tell you how cold the water was. I was going to tell how I had not one drop of water when it came to the bike leg and that by the time the run came I was terribly dehydrated and in tears.

Instead I’m going to talk about sacrifice. The truth is the training I do to prepare for these silly races can be consuming. I try not to have it flood all my conversations and apologize for the frequency at which it enters. If you are close to me you’ve annoyingly heard mention of my devotion to this sport. I’d like to sit here and tell you that I just enjoy racing, it’s a good way to keep in shape and have it end there. Mostly because if you really knew how much time and energy I spent toward this pursuit you’d expect some professional performances. The only person, who knows just how much time this has taken out of my life, and his, is my husband. After I completed the race I finally took a moment to think of someone besides myself, and there was my husband and baby on the sidelines, patiently waiting for me. The thing is when you’re married your sacrifice is your spouse’s sacrifice. Mason has quietly been picking up the slack at home while I am off training. I’ve spent the better part of my evenings and some mornings biking, swimming, running only to leave me exhausted for all the other duties in my life. My husband, who has always understood my passion for exercise, made room in his life so I could chase this hobby.

Preparing for this event has taken up most of my spare time for the last four months. I don’t have many talents, and there are not many things I can list that come to me naturally. I do, however, know what hard work is, and for some reason it doesn’t really scare me. I’m not sure why I take on these events, there are easier ways to keep in shape, but somewhere inside me there is a drive to do more that what I have done. As I looked into being ready for an Olympic distance triathlon by June I knew it was a stretch. I have a family, a job and somewhat of life, and I knew it would take sacrifice. As I think of late nights I’ve spent in the pool and all the times I’ve sat on a spin bike soaking wet, just trying to fit in yet another workout, I’d love to go on about how much of a sacrifice this all was, but I cannot fairly discuss my sacrifice without approaching his.

My darling Mason: As I got off my bike to begin the run portion of the race you were the only person I wanted to see. There you were, you had a water bottle in your hand, only to further symbolize that somehow you always provide me with what I need. I began to cry a little and I wanted to hug you and tell you how unfair this race had treated me. You began to run with me and while I thought you’d only continue with me for a few strides you ran by my side for the entire run. I know how much you hate to run, but I was hurting and so you did what you needed to do to take care of me and it touched my heart. Thank you for teaching me the meaning of sacrifice, selflessness and love.

All of my heart,

Lindy