HE DID IT!!!!

At 6 AM, we anxiously waited to register for the triathlon in a crisp, 54 degrees beside Henderson Lake in Inverness, FL. Patrick received an ankle chip to mark his time and then got "body marked" with his number #271 on each arm, leg and an "N" for novice on his right calf.

As the sun began to rise over the lake, Patrick rolled his bike down to the transition area and began preparing to swim - in the CHILLY weather - however the water was a bath water 76 degress. After a few pre-race announcements the groups moved toward the edge of the lake and listened intenetly for the sound of the starting siren. As the siren sounded the fun began. Hundreds of adults ran over and swam over one another as they raced to and in the water...At this point I began wondering if this was such a good idea...I mean Patrick has just overcome his fear of the water and now he's going to be pummeled by humans to the bottom of the lake...After the first leg of the swim...He decided to wait back and get out of the madness, so he could just swim like he had been practicing. That worked and he made great progress.













Out of the water and on to the transition station to bike the 12 miles. He said at this point he was about to throw up because he swallowed half the lake during the first leg of the swim. He pulled out of the transition area a little shaky, but was determined to finish.


About 50 minutes later we see him heading around the curve back to the transition station looking GREAT! He made great time on the bike and recovered from the swim. He was tired and really sweaty, but was ready to finish strong with the 3 mile run!



Patrick says the first 2 1/2 miles were good. He felt great and was looking for the finish line. As the line finally came into sight, the race end was so close, the last 1/2 mile and then victory - He got a cramp in his side and thought he would have to walk...he didn't stop though...He pushed on and made it!!!! SWEET SUCCESS!!!! He says at this point he was NEVER going to do this again...5 minutes later when he caught his breath he was talking about what he would do at the next one! :)














He placed 17 ahead of the last participant which exceeded his goal by 17, placed 9th in his age group, and 89th in the male category!!!! In the words of the surfer we met while standing in line to register, we're "totally stoked!"