Life Lessons from Ironman Dubai 70.3

    Until my daughter Bridget was involved in an Ironman 70.3, I had no idea what it was. Here is the definition:The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles (113.0 km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run. Each distance of the swim, bike, and run segments is half the distance of that segment in an Ironman triathlon. Bridget is part of a relay team meaning: one member named Jeffry did the swim portion, her friend, Kimberly did the bike part and Bridget did the run.

     They are all part of an amazing triathlon team called One Endurance. The night before the race, many of the members and their families all came together for a meal at Chili's.  . This is like a second family for the members.

    At the pre-race briefing they announced the participants were from over 100 countries!! They  showed the flags of every country represented and  many I had never heard of. At every turn I could hear people speaking foreign languages. 

     As I watched the people in the race, I noticed there were people of all shapes and sizes,but all united to do this one event to prove to themselves that they can accomplish what they set out to do. Nothing is impossible.One man was pushing his disabled son for the entire race. He always got a lot of cheers!

However, it was heartbreaking to see people dropping  out due to injuries or mechanical problems with their bike.
     After the race I took a taxi back to the hotel. The driver said he was from Bangladesh and was in Dubai for 25 years. When I told him I was from the USA he immediately said, "Your President Trump wants to built a big wall around Mexico." Then he laughed and said,"Oh my God!" His family is still in Bangladesh because it is too expensive in Dubai. He gets to see them during the 2 month vacation the taxi company gives him. The other months he lives in company supplied housing with 6 men living in one room. He send his money home to support his family. This makes you really appreciate your blessings.