I know I haven’t been the most diligent about blogging about my triathlon training. That’s because unfortunately, with the start of July I embarrassingly, haven’t been very diligent about training for all three sports…

Though recently, I spent the weekend with the most lovely couple. Arvind, (my bf) as you may know is an avid biker. He often would bike with Bob, someone he met through his med school. Bob and Dorothy (his wife) live outside of Boston, and over the weekend I was lucky enough to meet them and support Bob and Arvind as they biked over 60 miles through Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the Memory Ride. 

At one of the pit-stops

Now, I haven’t spent as much time with Bob and Dorothy as Arvind has; Yet, in the time that I did, I can say that they are hugely inspirational. Both strong and determined in their own ways, they are equally loving and supportive of one another.

Bob, who is in his sixties biked 62 miles with Arvind. Biking 62 miles would be a huge feat for me and I’m 23! After the race, he seemed ready to finish 40 more miles! In college, he played football for Holy Cross, and today is a strong swimmer and athlete, having done countless bike races and completing a marathon. In his sixties, he’s one of the most physically fit persons I know and someone I aspire to be like when I’m older.

See, for all of June I’ve had adrenaline to keep me motivated to keep practicing. However, lately with work and travel it’s been hard to remain dedicated while the summer flies by. Meeting Bob though showed me how committed someone can be to their physical health- and how at 60, someone can be as fit as someone in their 20’s. 

I’m inspired not because I’d like to bike 60 miles today, but because I’d like to bike them in 40 years. So when I’m swimming, biking and/or running, am tired and want to stop, I am reminded of Bob and how he truly enjoys the sport and pushes himself to be better at it every day; And how I need to push myself to be better so that I myself can continue to do it years from now.

At the finish line! 

To make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to help advance the research for cures, donate here!