A Letter From Sue Kamrar.....One Small Step.

I'm packed and ready to go. It feels great to have the preparing, planning and packing (Thanks Reene!) behind me. After an early morning run in lower park this morning, my head is clear. I finally had some time to reflect on this event that is unfolding.

I'm in my 25th year of racing triathlons. My first race was at Foothill College in the Bay Area. It was a tiny little race with a pool swim. I did the bike on my dad's old Schwinn Varsity 10 speed which was 5 sizes too big for me.  I won the race and thus began my "marriage" to the sport. Who would have thought back then that I"d be celebrating my silver triathlon anniversary at the World Championships?  

As I ran this morning I thought of my teammates, here in Chico, and those who will be traveling from all over the US. I thought how fun it would be to have an infrared satellite view of all 400 of us scurrying about with last minute packing (and repacking), shopping, and travelling. Add to that, the 2600 other athletes from all over the world and I think you'd agree we'd make an incredible web of movement if we were to see this from above. It's quite a powerful thing to think about over 3000 like-minded individuals coming together from all over the world for such an event.  

I also had time to think about how grateful I am for my friends who are joining me on this journey to AUS. I would NEVER make this trip alone and to know we are all going and will be there to support each other is extremely comforting and exciting.  Without the sport of triathlon to bring us together, I'm not sure I would have even MET half of these women, whom I now consider my good friends. How lucky I am. They uplift and inspire me. I wish them all good luck and good times.  I am sad though, that our coach, Preben, will not be with us. He is the reason we all are headed to AUS, and I wish he could have made the trip. My race is dedicated to him and the countless hours he has spent helping me become a better person and athlete.

I am going to try to keep everything in perspective as I participate in this adventure. I'm one little tiny person in a big old universe. I"m small, figuratively and literally, and in reality, so is this race. I plan to race hard, have fun, and laugh a lot.  I expect to come home with great stories and lasting memories. If I finish first (not at all likely) or last (more likely), I will relish the moment and be grateful I have had the opportunity to participate. 

The clock is ticking.,,It's time to hit the road and begin this unbelievable step toward ...perhaps, dare I say it? ...another 25 years of triathlon!