Falling Behind

posted by BH

As Joel got out of the car, he scanned his surroundings. It was an intimidating sight. Row after row of high tech bikes, brand new and boyant wetsuits, and light as a feather running shoes, all sitting in the transistion area of the San Jose International Triathlon. It was the first time Joel had entered such an event, and while he had believed that he was going to be free from the butterflies and worry that had surrounded his past competitive experiences, he now understood that he could not. As Joel looked around, spying athlete after athlete in greater physical condition than he, the uneasiness grew more intense.

Joel knew the deal. His brother had been on the triathlon team at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Joel had been to a couple of races. He knew these were top athletes, a group he had little to no business feeling he could compete with. But the competitive juices in Joel had him wanting to know. Could he keep up with them if he wanted? Joel devoted his summer to preparing for this triathlon. He swam, biked and ran day after day for the weeks and months leading up to the event. Having been a pretty good athlete his whole life, Joel began to wonder, "Is it possible I could win this thing?" After all, he had been an All-American in swimming in his college days. His brother reminded him that some of the triathletes against whom he'd be competing had been doing this their whole lives, and there was no chance Joel could win.

Joel got his transition area set up, put on his wetsuit, and made his way toward the water. His plan was to find his way to the edge of the pack during the opening swim, fall in behind a fellow swimmer, and draft his way through the first leg of the race. As the race began, Joel's plan was working perfectly. He stayed away from the churning arms and whitewater near the middle of the pack, finding a quick swimmer to fall directly behind. As the swim went on though, Joel decided to pick up his pace. He found a quicker swimmer to follow. Then finding that one too slow, he found another. Soon, Joel realized he was in the front of the pack. He was leading the swim in his first triathlon. Joel's brother didn't know what the hell he was talking about. At the end of the swim leg, Joel had a thirteen second lead on the next competitor.

Joel made a quick transistion from the swim to the bike leg, heading out toward the course. With a comfortable lead, Joel thought he had enough time to get his legs moving and used to the change from swim to bike. While thinking this though, Joel made a wrong turn, exiting the course. Realizing his mistake Joel turned around and made it back, though now in second place. Suddenly, the good feelings Joel once had about the race were gone. Joel's advantage was gone. Now, he was screwed. His advantage had been the swim, and now he had blown it. As Joel struggled to recapture his position, he began to realize that his brother had known exactly what he was talking about. Joel was screwed. Bike after bike passed him, until at the end of that leg of the race, Joel found himself in 17th place.

The run was worse. Joel's legs had never worked this hard for this long. Now he knew what his brother was talking about. The men he was competing against had been training their whole lives. Their legs were still moving well. Joel had taken up training the spring before. His legs were moving like a pair of Gumbys made of shit. Joel watched as competitor after competitor passed him, losing a little bit of hope after each one. At the end of the race, Joel was in pain. He was upset with himself for having been so cavalier about his chances, especially since he hadn't prepared to the extent others had.

I'll give you a hint. This is a metaphor. JOEL IS ME!! THE RACE IS THE TOURNAMENT! I felt good after Thursday's games. I was leading after the swim. NOW IT'S THE BIKE LEG AND I FEEL LIKE SHIT! I'M SCREWED!