My Tri Journey is Changing.

The WyldTri season of 2010 has come to an exciting end. It was not the way I saw it ending. With this being my second season in this crazy world of triathlons, I had a few lofty goals. Two of which were to qualify for the 70.3 Worlds in Clearwater, Fl. and to complete a Sprint Triathlon in under an hour. Neither of which I achieved, but what I achieved was so much more.

I was able to compete in 6 triathlons, 5 of them were Sprints and 1 was an Olympic triathlon. Over the next 6 weeks I will recap my season race by race, and what God has taught me as well in each event. In these events I was able to achieve: 2 Age-group wins, a Second place Age-group finish, a Third place Age-group finish and 2 Fifth place Age-group finishes. Also I managed 3 top 10 overall finishes and a top 20 overall finish as well. (Not bad for a 44 year old man.) I also qualified for the USAT Age-group Nationals. I think the most wonderful and rewarding accomplishment was that I was able to train/mentor 2 people in finishing their goal of completing a Triathlon. I also was able to do the run with 3 people while they were completing a Triathlon for the first time, as well. What an honor it was to have a front row seat to watching people complete their quest of becoming a Triathlete.

I started my season with the plan of competing in the 70.3 in New Orleans. However, due to an upper thigh injury I  realized that I would just be finishing and not Qualifying. I set my sights on a few other races instead. It was during this period God started working on me. I had thought by going out and smashing each race. I would somehow honor God. by giving him the glory for my efforts. While I did just that, something started to happen. God was changing me.

While I was getting faster, stronger and more confident. I was also reading God's word, praying, and starting to act different. I realized that during training sessions I found myself talking to God. I was asking Him for the strength to do the workouts. I found myself asking God to guide my life and my training sessions as well. During my training sessions I found myself praying, not only for strength in my training but for others as well as myself. I found myself saying, "not by my strength, but by your Power God!" I started to have a desire to serve God not only in the Church I attend, but also in my public life as well. I found that I must show the people I work with my new found love for the Lord. I actually told a co-worker one time that I honestly believed that God wants to work through me, but I did not know how just yet. That is when I started, Staring at Lines. Although I do not believe this is all he wants me to do, I believe there is more to come.

You may be wondering what caused this new change? It was really simple. I found a new church that fits me. A church where I feel at home. A place where people do not judge you, they encourage you  to live right. It is a place where it is easy to get motivated about living for Jesus. It is also without a doubt the Funnest Place on Earth. A place where you can hear the Greatest Message on Earth, JESUS. It is the reason that I look forward to Sunday, just so I can go to church. To worship God in song and be fed the Word of God. Don't get me wrong it was not the building that brought this great change, but the people who helped bring this great change. It was being around people who loved Jesus, and were excited to see what He was doing in each and everyone else's lives.(Matthew 18:19-20)

I find it interesting that the early Church was the same way. They were excited about what God was doing in their lives. They were so united that when they met to pray the walls shook.(Acts 4:31)  People were added to the church daily, and people were being healed. How could you not be excited about Jesus? The Early church had the fire of the Holy Spirit, and they met with each other daily to praise the Living God.(Acts 2:42:-47)   It is knowing that Jesus is with us by the power of the Holy Spirit. I have realized one thing, it is not me holding on to Jesus, but it is God who is holding onto me. That has carried me this far.

So continue to follow me and although my Journey may have changed, my message is still the same.(I Corrinthians 9:23-27)  Please follow me as I share my races and faith experiences with you. Please walk with me as we continue...Staring at Lines.