You have to start somewhere.

The last post started with the end in mind - the finish line. Now, I shift your attention to start line. Here, in this place, at 4am on July 15, 300 triathletes jump in the 55-degree waters of Resurrection Bay to start the Alaskaman journey. Fed by glaciers, this water has basically zero visibility. Swimming in the open water is already amazing but this bay is also home to orcas, whales, seals and other Alaskan aquatic life. Granted they won't be bothering us but the mental part of that is pretty wild. It is also kind of cool it is called Resurrection Bay. Resurrection is the concept of coming back to life after death. Jesus died and came back to life three days later. He came to earth to die for our sins so that it bridges the gap between us and God. In John 14:6, it states "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." Thank goodness this triathlon won't take me three days to complete; however, I love the connection to Ultraman in 2018. It will take me 3 days to complete. So, life's journey has to start somewhere and why not start in Resurrection Bay.

The finish line...

This is the last half mile stretch to the finish line at Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon. After a punishing, relentless climb of 6.5 miles, these last few steps at 15% grade (or more) will be amazing. Hopefully the view will be just as stunning when I finish in July. Week 2 is complete and things are clicking along. My first 65-min run since last summer's knee injury was completed and I felt great. Thank you God for keeping me healthy thus far. It was great to get outside with a break in cold weather. Finally. As I had back to work after a nice spring break (kind of funny to say that) I look forward to seeing how I fit in training with my goofy work schedule. The finish line is almost here (at least for this part). Acts 20:24 states: "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

A quest is a long or arduous search for something. Humans have been on quests since the dawn of time. They have climbed to the top of the highest mountains, dove to the depths of the deepest seas, flown the farthest and free-fell the fastest from the edge of the atmosphere. Endurance athletes take on some strangest, longest, craziest, most mind-boggling quests out there. Over the next 17 months my quest takes me on an intimate journey to see what I am capable of doing. I am thankful God has kept me healthy over the years and has made these endurance events possible. After 11 full Ironman events, I am anxious to see where I go with these two new endurance events. In 1 Timothy 4:8, physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. I hope I can glorify God in the process and share my quest with everyone.