I can do this.

I can do this., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Traveling to a triathlon as a spouse sherpa instead of an athlete gives me time to observe the other athletes--who they are, their shapes and sizes, how they move, their competitiveness or sheer determination to finish. I wish I had hours to move among them, documenting their journeys through the water and across land and pavement.

Some of the captured moments cause reflection on my own journey to the sport of triathlon. In particular, I wonder what brings some women to the starting line: the desire to venture beyond a single sport, and a curiosity about its challenges; investment in personal or physical life changes; following through on a bet from a friend, or supporting that friend in her first racing endeavor; or needing to prove--to the spectators, to someone, to herself: "I can do this."

And as she crosses the finish line, she throws up her hands and affirms, "I can do anything."

Just for Today

Just for Today..I will have hope. And maybe for many days afterwards., originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

Affirmations. Not mine, but excellent words to live by. I am starting with the first one today and working my way through. When I get to the end, I will start over again until these become habit. Will you come along for the journey?
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Just For Today I will live one day only, forgetting yesterday and tomorrow, and not trying to solve the whole problem of life at once.

Just For Today I will be unafraid of life and death; unafraid to enjoy the beautiful and be happy. People are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Just For Today I will adjust myself to what is, and try not to make everything over to suit me. If I cannot have what I like, I will try to like what I have.

Just For Today I will be agreeable, cheerful, charitable, do my best, praise people for what they do, not criticize them for what they cannot do; and if I find fault, I will forgive it and forget it. I will try not to improve or regulate anybody except for myself.

Just For Today I will have a plan. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have one. It will save me from worry, hurry and indecision.

Just For Today I will get off my nerves and not get on theirs. I will appreciate them for what they do and what they are.

Just For Today I will not show it if my feelings are hurt.

Just For Today I will find a little time for quiet, to relax and to realize what life is and can be, and get a better perspective of myself.

Just For Today I will look at life with fresh eyes and discover the wonder of it; I will know that as I give to the world so the world will give to me.

Beach endeavors

Sunrise at Steelhead, originally uploaded by Tipping Point Photo.

What a long weekend, but what a worthwhile effort to get up at 4:30am. Two days in a row. On a weekend. The second day, for me to race the Rock and Roll Half-Marathon in Chicago. The first day, to watch my amazing superhero friend Elena complete her first half-ironman triathlon.
If there's one thing this summer of training and racing has taught me, though, is that it's always worth getting up early: the quiet of the morning hours, both inside and outside my head, for starters. But the photographer in me says you can't really beat that early morning light, either. Heck, it almost makes 70.3 miles look like the most beautiful thing in the world. Almost.