I’m Friggin back!!!
Today was one of the most satisfying days in a long time. Today was the Saint Paul Tri, located less than 3/4ths of a mile from my abode. Today I won. Today I set a course record (albeit the previous one held by Brett Lovas was done in miserable conditions). Today I ran sub 6 minute miles (5:45 to be precise which was good enough for 1st on the run). Today the bike flowed with simple translation of leg to pedal in perfect sychronicity. It was just one of those days where everything clicks and the world is yours for that moment.
But, more importantly, today I got to watch someone who I admire dearly do something that many of us take for granted. Today, Suzie Danner is now a triathlete. Many of you know Suzie as this energetic woman who is one of the best massage therapists out there. Suzie graduated from the Clinical Massage Therapy Program at Saint Paul College, a program that I teach and direct in. During her second year in the program (it’s a two year program) Suzie had to take a class called Therapeutic Exercise. Jonny-J was the lead teacher in that class and fully beleives (as I do) that students must not master just theory but rather application. Suzie went forward in this class full speed. Suzie was quite overweight at the time. In the course of that semester Suzie lost 80 pounds. Her true character began to shine greatly and she enrolled in the Personal Traner program eager to learn everything that she could and help people that had similar backgrounds to herself. Suzie lost another 80 pounds. Today, many many friends showed up to cheer Suzie on. Suzie has been full of nerves all week but persevered non the less. Suzie finished the sprint race at the Saint Paul Tri running and not walking. She did the bike leg on a cross bike. She was not last out of the water nor last on the course – something she was concerned about. Suzie doesn’t know this yet, but she motivated me today to push beyond what I thought that I was capable of this year. Thanks Suzie, for showing us all what we are all capable of, and for giving me the motivation to overcome a mental block present in me this season. I have new found confidence in my abilities and cannot wait to race with you again!
That’s it for now. An absolutely perfect Sunday capped off with some extra running as prep for Ironman Wisconsin (I ran 17 total including the race) and a great late lunch with my amazing wife. Today I count my blessings. Today I was inspired. Today I witnessed once again human potential and perseverence. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Jeremy Sartain