In the beginning...

Everyone has a story of how they got started competing (or in my case, 'participating') in triathlon. For me, it was the basic challenge from a friend. A great friend all through high school, Steve threw down the gauntlet. One of the old USTS Bud Light races was held here in Portland, or more accurately, outside Forest Grove at Hagg Lake. Steve did the race in 1985 and after his initial foray, decided I needed to get involved as well. Despite never having competed in anything like swimming, cycling or running, I figured I couldn't possibly suck at all three, so why not?

Now, when you're 19 you have a feeling of physical invicibility... or at least, I did. I was working construction jobs during the day, staying up late at night with my friends, and then putting in another Mtn. Dew fueled workday starting early the next morning. So my preparation for races in the early days left quite a bit to be desired. Toeing the line at the "Oregon State Championship Triathlon" at Cottage Grove resoervoir in August 1985, I had never even attempted an open water swim and my longest run had been 4 miles. I rode a Ross touring bike with the old, Detto Pietro cycling shoes with wooden soles. I nailed the cleats to the shoes myself. Aero helmet? Yeah right, it was difficult to find an ANSI certified model then. In the huge field of about 170 competitors, there were probably less than 20 women. I did fine in the swim, passed a few people on the bike and got going on the out and back run course. I got a strong message that my (non) training regimen needed to change when then coach of the Portland Trailblazers, 60+ year old Jack Ramsey, passed me at mile 5. I struggled across the finish, but made it. Despite the pain and the reality check of getting passed by a man 40 years my senior, I really felt I had accomplished something. And that feeling gave birth to the addicition. How did it happen for you?