Just Do It

I know it's a Nike slogan, but I have worn my share of Nike shoes and apparel in all my years in this industry, so I feel safe using it. But this is not about Nike. When I say "just do it", I mean find your goals, meet your goals and beat your goals. This coming Sunday I will be doing my first Ironman in Lake Placid, New York. A few weeks ago I did my first triathlon ever finishing the Rock and Roll Man Half Ironman in Macon, GA. Going into my 50's I wasn't a good swimmer, never was on any swim team ever, and I had never ridden a bike for distance. I swore in my younger years I wouldn't wear those clothes bike riders wear (stupid thought considering I wore tights most of my teenage years as a wrestler). So I made the commitment and I trained, and I ran, and I swam, and I rode, and I crashed and I got back up to do it all again. This Sunday in Lake Placid I will exercise and move for well over 10 hours, maybe 11, probably 12, could be 13, and 14 is not out of the question. When you train yourself to swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles and then run a marathon, I was told if you just tell yourself it's going to be really hard and sometimes painful, then everything should be OK. What's my point? My point is to do it, just do it. Whatever age you are, whatever shape you may think you're in, whatever limitations you think you may have, it's your time to make that decision to make it happen just for you. Your first run or walk around the block, your first 5K, your first 10K, marathon, triathlon, bike ride or swim, it can be done. At 52 I was convinced to 'tri' it. At 53, I am going to, no matter how long it takes, no matter how it feels. Thanks to all of you for your support, I hope I come out of this in one piece and a tri geek.

Thanks especially to my staff for giving me the time to train, and having sympathy for this old man as I dragged this old body around the store after some long training days. You guys are the best, could not have done it without you.

 - Robert Espinoza
"Keep Your Chin Up for Strength, and Down For Prayer"
Fleet Feet Sports Savannah