Hearing, Seeing and Not Believing

I suppose one of the reasons I take on tough goals and hard things - most recently Sprint Triathlons - is that I love the reactions of some people when they find out that I am a triathlete. After 7 tri's in two years, I can say that truthfully - I am a triathlete. I've finished every event, I've never been last, and I am improving in each event. But, I don't look like a triathlete.

I recently attended a national conference in Phoenix for a professional organization, the leadership of which had asked me to make two presentations and participate in a two hour open format Q&A session. I still marvel that at my age I get paid to go to really nice places and talk.

Over the years, I have gotten to know a number of the members, including a woman who is the president of this year's Board. Last December at an event in San Antonio, she and I got talking one evening after all the meetings were done for the day and I learned she recently took up running, and she learned that I recently took up triathlons. I think she found this just short of amazing, a fairly common reaction for people who don't know me very well. While we are not too far apart in age - she is a few years younger - she is petite and looks like an athlete. I am not and do not.

At the opening reception this year in Phoenix, she told a number of people that Ron (me) had participated in a number of triathlons. One of the members couldn't believe his ears - or, apparently, his eyes. He stared over at me in disbelief and said, You mean Ron, from New York? He's participated in triathlons?"

When she said "Yes", he stared over at me again and said, "Recently?"

Like I said, got to love those reactions!

If seeing is believing, here are links to some event photos:

Southern Saratoga YMCA Indoor/Outdoor Tri, May 2007

Pawling Tri, June, 2007

Pinebush Tri, July, 2007

Pinebush Tri July 2006