The Fam

Before I go any further about my journey, I must dedicate a post to my parents, particularly my step-mom and dad. The first race I brought my dad to was last year--the Shamrock Shuffle, which was before my first triathlon in June. It was FREEZING outside. He arrived at 6am, and we took the train with all of the other avid runners. He stood outside the entire time, freezing his butt off just to watch 30,000 people fun. After I finished, we were both happy, but it was the moment when I think he realized what all this racing stuff was all about. He knew at this point that I had signed up for the Naperville sprint triathlon, but I don't think quite understood the point, I know that point was not communicated at the Shamrock Shuffle. I just think at this moment he knew racing meant something to me.



The idea of getting up at 3:30am on a Sunday to stand around watching athletes for 5 hours was not my parents idea of a good time either. When I told them that I needed a ride to Naperville and that they had to get up, they were less than excited. They were more than willing, but didn't know what to expect. My dad, however, showed much interest in what I was doing because I think he began to see the slow, positive change in me. He took me the day before to drive the course and to pick up my race materials. I had my numbers drawn on me (little did I know at the time that I could do this myself), and I picked up my race shirt and materials for the next day. He stood around with me to listen to the course talks, and basically repeated everything the man said, even though I was standing right next to him (thanks dad ;). Before leaving, we drove the bike course, and I think it was then that my dad realized what I was about to take on the next day.

Sunday came and I was up at 3:15am, and my step-mom and day were not far behind. I ate my pre-race ritual breakfast--oatmeal with 3 splenda and a smashed banana and a yogurt, and we were on our way. I think my dad wanted to get me to T1 quicker than I wanted to go! I ended up getting a great T1 spot--right on the end of the bike rack where I didn't have to search through the sea of bikes for minutes. My dad would not leave my side--he was taking pictures, telling me how to set up my things (at this point I pulled the "dad I got it!" out). Eventually a race official removed him from my side and told him only athletes were allowed in T1. After setting up, we waited, and waited, and waited. It rained, it stormed, it rained again. My mom and Roy showed up as well, and they all sat together to watch me line up in wave 28. Right before I went off, the announcer said over the intercom, "Julie from Tinley Park, your family loves you and is so proud." I looked up and they were all smiles with a big poster that read "Run Shimko Run!" The R's even had little gym shoes on them...I saw my family coming out of the water, and then I didn't see my family again until the run, but the beginning of the race and their support is all I needed to keep going--even when after the swim I asked myself "What the f&*^ am I doing this for?!"

Since then, my parents have become a part of my lifestyle...more so my father and my step-mom than anything. Even though they missed seeing me through the ENTIRE race, my dad and Debbie still came to the Chicago triathlon to greet me after the finish...me in tears and them wondering where the heck I went so quickly. In September, I joined Team in Training with the dream of racing in Florida in the St. Anthony's Olympic Triathlon with a team. I was told I had to raise $4200...which at the time seemed nearly impossible in this economy. My parents weren't really sure if I was serious...heck I didn't know if I was serious. As I raised more and more money (I will discuss my Team in Training experience in length soon), my family realized I was really going to do this. I was really going to travel down to Florida with a team, having raised money for blood cancers. My dad and step mom have been angels to me during this experience, and I honestly could not thank them more or appreciate them more. My parents have recognized that over the past year and 2 months that I have become a new person. I have become more positive, more driven, more alive, and more optimistic about any challenge I face. Through this journey, I have doubted myself many times, but it's through these times that my parents have helped me through. I will never forget crossing my first triathlon finish line only to fall into the arms of my family crying tears of accomplishment and joy. Thank you :).