Try, Try, Try

Sunday morning, White River State Park was 

the setting for the 6th Annual Tri Indy Triathlon, 

three separate competitions, with the main one 

the Olympic distance race consisting 

of a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run.

The sun had not yet risen on the city but

officials, volunteers and entrants were busily 

preparing for the races to begin.

The top photo shows an entrant's equipment

laid out for his transition from the swimming event,

to cycling, then to running.

All competitors have made their own preparations 

before they go to the starting line for the swim,

about a mile away. Here, the area doesn't look too

busy, but filled up and was quite hectic not much later,

as the swimmers came out of the water to make

their way to their cycles.

There were about 1,500 entrants altogether 

from cities all over the Midwest. They covered the gamut

for age, as well as for body type; people from young teens 

through their 70s came with the slender builds

you would expect of runners, to the more bulky structure

of football players, or voluptuous "goddesses."

Most everyone appeared to have smooth, 

silken skin tautly stretched over their frames,

a feature I especially enjoy to see on men.

Out of the group, I did see one person I knew, 

a co-worker I barely recognized as he 

emerged from the canal in his wetsuit, 

on his way to his bicycle. I later saw him finish the

foot race, then stop to check his watch.

He'd told me he wanted to improve his own best time.

I think he did it.