By Joe Becker

If you were watching the 11pm News Last Night, Joe Donlon and Laural Porter both brought up the fact that I was competing in the Blue Lake Triathlon.

I did the Sprint Triathlon which was a half mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 5K run or walk. I ran and walked.

My main goal was to finish...and I did. My time was 2 hours 8 minutes and 1 second. I finished 586 out of the 608 finishers and had a fabulous time. It started when I signed up and picked up my packet at FitRight NW on 23rd.

Everyone was so nice and helpful. The weather was fantastic and I enjoyed everything about the event. Obviously, I was very nervous and was counting the hours until I entered the water for the swim which started at 8:25 am.

I completed the swim in 27 minutes and 33 seconds. I used a combination of freestyle and breast stroke. I thought the bike ride went smooth as well and it was a wonderful ride long the Columbia River for 12 miles. I went nice and easy and didn't over do it.
I averaged better than 13 miles an hour and finished the bike portion in just under 53 minutes.

That left the 5 K run. Since I had back surgery years ago I normlly don't run or jog. I love to walk though and it's a great excercise. For the Triathlon I alternated between a nice jog and brisk walk. It was nice to see so many smiling faces along the route. I finished the 5K in 35:41.

I wasn't sure what to expect for my first Triathlon, but I couldn't be happier. I will remember the work leading up to it, the thrill of finishing each portion of the race and the many, many kind and helpful people along the way.

Two hours, 8 minutes and one second from start to finish...and memories to last a lifetime.