The rewards of involvement

Got a few minutes to spare, thought I'd try out Blogger's email posting feature. This one is written on my phone, and if you're reading this, successfully sent through the ether.

As mentioned before, I discovered and got interested in triathlons by chance. While recovering from a motorcycling injury, Lee and Vicky introduced me to Steve's Light & Easy group on one Thursday night Putrajaya ride. The rest, as they say, is history!

Being Friday, ahead of another lung lashing weekend, I'm looking back with nostalgia, and pride, that our small tri community here have been very supportive of weaklings like me, workaholic by day, couch potato by night. Until I decided to change that.

Because of people like Steve, Doc Hisham, Azmar, Edwin, Vicky, Arif, Senn, Bacin, Yusran, John, EiLeen, Shiraz, Mac and many more who deserve mention, I get up at 5am on days to either run 10 clicks or bike 30. Then there's the send kid to school rush, and work, etc. On some days with overdrive, out again in the evening to swim or sweat doing something.

If one were to summarize the benefits I have reaped from this tri activity, it could look like this.

1. Much, much better health, with lowered bad cholesterol (triglycerides, or however its spelt), sugar level and uric acid. Less illnesses. Lower weight (though never enough). Great appetite and water intake daily!

2. More focused mind at work and other activities outside of exercise. Problem solving under any circumstance become easy when you have felt the pain and endure a much higher threshold in training and races.

3. Good role model for my 10 year old daughter and her buds. In fact, we go swimming, cycling and light jogs together on some evenings. Got them into a kids tri some months back, training for the next one in November.

4. Made and continue to meet great friends along the way. Money can't buy stronger legs and lungs, it has to be acquired. Folks here, while in it for a variety of their personal reasons, with differing goals, are genuine and treat each other with deep warmth and humility. Our world of rides and runs are indeed a better place. When someone finds a way to chat while swimming, the water too will be a new frontier.

5. More insight into nutrition and food values. Definitely not a bad thing!

6. During races and rides, we not only get to places we'd not usually go. Also, with the likes of Yusran and Chief, discover the best places to eat the local cuisine and specialities.

I've definitely taken a lot from this sport. Hope to give some back as we go along.