Another Triathlon Finished

There's my medal that I got as I crossed the finish line. It was a good race. I really hit the wall in the bike portion, which has traditionally been my best part. I don't have my times yet, but I am quite certain I did not beat my last year's time. I know that I gave it absolutely every thing I had today though and that is a good feeling.

When I crossed the finish line, I was utterly done - breathing like a locomotive, needing a drink of water, needing to fall over basically. The first tent I saw had some food, as I reached for some, I was told that it was for "survivors". I am glad that the breast cancer survivors have first choice, but it took me a while to find some freaking water. In that time I was thinking - (not to minimize the trials that breast cancer survivors have been though - honest) - you people have no idea what I have survived to be here participating in a triathlon today.

I am a 55 year old female alcoholic. Believe me, this is terminal old age for a female drunk. The fact that I am alive and sober and able to go out and do crazy ass stuff like half-marathons and triathlons is nothing short of miraculous. No one else has to understand that, but I know it deep in my heart, and I have a feeling most of you do too.

I am grateful to be a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

"We who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd now shows any mark of dissipation." -- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 133