Director's Dare
The Beginning
Tuesday, March 9, 2004
When I got this job in January, I was excited, overwhelmed and to be honest scared to death. This was truly my DREAM JOB. What did I do to deserve this? I started out with the Utah Summer Games as a student intern while I worked on my undergraduate degree at Southern Utah University, and now, here I am the Director. Wow.
My mind began whirring at about 100 miles an hour; ideas of how to get people to come and participate. Then it hit me. How could I ask anyone to come put themselves on the line and participate if I was unwilling to do so myself. I tried to ignore the thought but it kept coming back.
Well, I would participate, but I just don't have the time, I thought. I would be coordinating over 40 events for the Utah Summer Games. I am a father of two energetic and involved kids; I sit on the Board of Directors for the local United Way , and serve as the advisor for the local Circle K service club for SUU students, not to mention an active volunteer in my church and the list goes on and on. No. I'm sorry there just isn't enough time.
But the thought kept pestering me.
Well, On March 1, we had a wonderful meeting with our Board of Commissioners. During the meeting, President Bennion, Chairperson of the Board, President of SUU and long time Utah Summer Games participant, issued a challenge to the Board to participate in this year's event. Before I knew what my mouth was doing, I heard myself say, I'm committed to doing the triathlon this year.
What?
I've never done a triathlon before. I knew it consisted of three things; swimming, running and biking, but I had no idea even how far I'd have to do any of those things. I've not been even remotely active since high school. But it was too late to turn back.
Last Wednesday, March 3, I decided it was time to start training. I called my dog Tapanga over, put a leash on her, walked out the front door and ran one mile that evening, if you can call what I did running. When I crawled up my drive way and through the front door, I decided then and there that I was insane and this just wouldn't work. But after a good night's sleep the pain and agony seemed more bearable.
I'm happy to say that I've been running every night except Sunday since then and while it still hurts and I see star bursts in front of my eyes at the end, it is getting easier.
My next big challenge swimming. You know, a child can drown in less than an inch of water.
Check back soon to keep up on my quest to compete in my first ever triathlon.
Labels: triathlon
