The Commercial Real Estate Alpha Site

A Super Sunday, Indeed! (Y-Tri Pictures & Story)

Sunday was Super Bowl XLV (45) and while it was a great game, corporations and celebrities ruled the elaborate show.

On a more local and heartfelt note, a small race was run that morning in Sarasota, Fl. Approximately 120 sacrificial lambs, with sweaty palms and rapidly escalating heartbeats, braved overcast skies, cool whipping winds and the fear of the unknown by completing the Sarasota Storm Y-Tri Triathlon, held at the Potter Park YMCA.

For some of the athletes, this was their second or third race and some had trained recently or for years previously, while still others had no experience in this maddening sport and were being thrust into a new experience that required more “things” then other sports added together. (I.E. – Helmets, goggles, a bike, swim suit, cool headband, water bottle, Special Butter (Wink), etcetera, etcetera, etc.)

To be a volunteer with the 100+ other amazing philanthropic folks in the Sarasota Storm Triathlon Group and other caring individuals who graciously provided their time, facility, products & promotional items was an awesome experience.

Knowing how each person felt prior to, during & after the race was a unique perspective to encounter. I have been a spectator at other races cheering on experienced friends and competitors, but the emotions and earnest body language that first timers give off is a masterpiece unto itself.

Some of those works of art include, seeing the fear in people’s eyes, the shaking of folks hands and the uneasy shifting and posturing, pre-race, getting ready in the dawn’s light in the parking lot or when the Race Director is giving their speech or the first time the athletes get a glimpse of the 50 meter Olympic sized pool. Seeing the honest empathy for Greg as he pulls a handicapped Angel in a raft for 400 meters strong! Knowing what that trepidation feels like before the triathlon starts and how it makes the saliva in your mouth dry up, the beat of your heart increase and maintaining focus on thoughts, nearly impossible. The reality that once the horn sounds that there is no turning back and its time to DO WORK! The realization that this is probably going to be more difficult then imagined. The images of exhaustion and total exertion on people’s faces which turn into a smile or a set of playful pursed lips whispering, “I hate you right now” but really saying “I’m loving this”, when cheered on or offered voices of praise and support! The will of warriors who can taste the completion of this wonderful, torturous & rewarding event and power through the voices in their heads telling them to call it a day. The pure elation when they reach the home stretch and have a throng of supporters cheering, yelling, clapping and gesturing them to finish strong and stand tall!

These are moments that should be framed and hung for others to view the triumphs. These are moments that should be bottled so others may taste the efforts put forth. These are moments that should be stored in the soul for days when things are tough and you need to look inward and find a reason to go forth.

The moments for me came in many forms. First and foremost, being part of such a wonderful group of people and really just being a small cog in a giant wheel gives me great satisfaction. Additionally, watching Greg pull a Handicapped warrior in the pool, tow another Handicapped warrior 12 miles and push a third Handicapped warrior over 2 miles creates a feeling that is difficult to describe but can be best summed up by the word… Humbled. Lastly, but not last, was supporting and championing my Dad and sister Danielle as they completed their 1st Triathlon’s, ever! I am beyond proud of their accomplishments and hope it inspired them to continued success and to breathe the same inspiration to others.

Mahalo