I went to San Deigo to participate in a triathlon.  It was 70.3 miles, consisting of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run.   It was in support of Challenged Athletes Foundation, and thanks to the generosity of my friends and family, we raised nearly $2,500 to assist in providing facilities, equipment and support for athletes with disabilities that want to play, run, swim and do many of the things we all take for granted.  A very deep and sincere thanks to folks who contributed. Together, the event raised well over a million dollars.[singlepic id=”4381″ nggid=”6202″ w=320 h=240 float=right]

It is an awesome organization and a great cause.  I’m not ashamed to say I cried when a girl, around 12, got up and said “thanks for my leg.  I can now run and play sports with my friends.” Simply amazing.

It seemed every time I got tired, I’d see a swimmer with no legs, or runner on a prosthetic leg, or a woman climbing a hill on her bike, using her only leg. I pushed myself harder each time.

I’ve done one other triathlon, the same length, and it was a miserable event.  I finished, but was put straight into the medics tent.  This one went smoothly. I was still slow, but finished 3 hours faster than the other one I’d done, and actually felt ok, like maybe I could have pushed even a bit more!  Not many photos, since I was in the event and by myself.  [nggallery id=”1679″ nggid=”147″]