Triathlete Teamwork and Togetherness

I did not sign up for all of the T-Rex TRIs before they filled up this season, which is not all bad.  Now I get the opportunity to volunteer and cheer on fellow athletes.  Tonight was Pterodactyl Tri and I was lucky enough to get there in time to get a 3 mile run in on the hiking trail before my Run Marshall shift started.  It was scorching hot and I was pretty slow and at times nauseous, and felt a lot of empathy for those doing the Tri.  A part of me was relieved not to be competing in this heat, and admiring of those with the stamina for it. I was a hot sweaty mess to start my shift but felt great for the effort and looked forward to cheering my fool head off while directing folks around the dumpsters.  (Yes I found a position that was downwind to wait for the runners.)

I really love being a cheerleader, I like the brief smiles and thanks and sometimes people pick up pace when they hear me cheering them on.  I know there are times in races when my energy was flagging and I was able to pick it up a bit when someone cheered me on. It's wonderful to return the favor.  I got many compliments of being the best cheerleader.  Though admittedly there was one runner who winced and said I could "tone down the enthusiasm a bit".  I guess he just couldn't handle all of my fabulous self.  Towards the end of my shift with hand numb from clapping and voice hoarse with shouting, there was a runner who wasn't in the race who stopped to chat and congratulate me on my enthusiasm. He mentioned that when he volunteered he found it difficult to stay enthusiastic for the whole race.   Really?  I get a little tired but often the folks at the end need as much if not more cheering.  I have been at the back of the pack, and DFL and it is mentally stressful to be behind everyone else.  It's hard to fight that inner voice that says "you should just give up", and push through the heat and pain and fatigue when it feels like you have already lost.  The back of the pack needs just as much kudos and cheering as the front runners and everyone in between. I heard several stories from other triathletes of people helping each other on the course tonight.  One women told me she was falling behind a group of 3 other women and they all pulled together, wouldn't let her quit, and finished together.  One of the other Athletes who couldn't get into this race was also volunteering.  When told he had put in enough time and could head home, said that he would rather stay to cheer in all of the athletes.  He echoed what I had shared with the other runner how those in the back of the pack deserve to be cheered in just as much as the front runners.  I love this community.  We are all competing, but people reach out and encourage and help each other to the finish.

On my run back to the start from my spot on the course I saw a spectacular sunset and stopped to take a moment to enjoy.  Life is good my friends.  Be there for each other.