A Part of Something Bigger

So this past weekend I competed in the Minneapolis Duathlon in Downtown Minneapolis. It was said to be the largest duathlon with nearly 3000 total participants. Funny how still among such a large group of competitors, the world can seem so small. I ran into a gal who I consider my saving grace at the 2009 Irongirl race in Minneapolis.

Last year, I chose to try my first duathlon and thought what better way to jump in than to do an All Women's Event. After doing the Danskin Triathlon in Denver in 2008, I was completely sold on Women's only events. I think they are fabulous! While everyone is still competitive there is just this "aura" around the event full of positivity, encouragement and faith in each other. Not sure if that is really the right way to describe it, but that is the best I can come up with right now. So anyway, back to Irongirl Bloomington: So I am on the last run and have a mile to go. I am feeling it now - or not feeling it, whichever way you want to look at it. Anyway, I stop running and started to walk. Here comes this gal that says, "C'mon, only 10 minutes to go. You can do it!" So I pace myself along with her and am able to keep running all the way through the finish chute.

... Now fast forward almost exactly one year later to the 2010 Minneapolis Duathlon, and who do I run into heading down to the start line ... my saving grace. We chat for a quick minute (she is headed to find a porta-potty without a line - I wish her the best of luck with that one!) and we find that we are actually in the same wave start. I did know beforehand that she was racing as we have become acquaintances through Facebook, but c'mon the chance of seeing her in a crowd of 3000. I would have never guessed.

So we started out on the first run and just after the turn around we meet face to face and cheer each other on. I didn't see her out on the bike course but by the looks of her bike time (which kicked ass!) she must have been right behind me. Then I took off on the 2nd run and again just after the turn around, there she was! We high fived as we went by and told each other good job. Coming down the finish chute, I received my finisher's hardware and turned around to see her finish right after me. I told her congratulations, great job and that it was so nice to see her again!

This world of endurance sports can be a crazy one. Funny how these sports can seem so "crowded" but yet the more you get into it, you find it is really a close-knit group of people. Who in all of their competitive spirit are still probably some of the most encouraging people you will meet. I try to give encouragement along the course because you just never know the effect it could have on someone at that moment. She didn't have to push me at the Irongirl race but I am so glad she did! Just another friend and perk from competing in endurance sports. So give that little bit of shoog out on the course, because you never know when it will be returned - could be just when you need it the most. And Faith, see you at the next race?!