Mr. T’s Turtle Head Triathlon. This was one of the most humbling experiences for me in a very long time. It was a great adventure from drinking margaritas the day before to getting 3 hours of sleep the night prior. Thinking I was going to drown at one point, heavy rain fall prior to the race, losing my swimming goggles 30 min. prior to start time, cramp from eating too big of a breakfast… well you get the point.
The most inspiring part of it all was to see people of all ages and athletic abilities. People did what they had to to start and finish the race. They showed up, which is more than what most people can ever say and the gravy was that they finished no matter how deep they had to dig within.
When was the last time you dug deep within yourself to finish something you started?
It was great to see entire family participating together. Husband, wife and children. These little 10 year olds were so adorable. I was telling my niece and she is all excited to do one together one day. You cannot imagine the joy within to hear that.
There was a lady that got a flat in the beginning of the bike route and was not equipped to fix her flat, so another individual gave her his rim from his spare bike so she can continue the race.
How often do we go out of our way to help complete strangers reach their goals? truly wanting to help others with nothing expected in return.
Leading up to the event it seemed like I did everything to sabotage my success. From drinking the day before to eating bad and lack of sleep night prior to the race. Oh yes, forgot the most critical part – finding every excuse not to train. Doubt will always be a variable in the path to our success. That cannot be avoided, what you do from that point on will determine your outcome. I let that doubt creep in and in turn did everything possible to be able to have my excuse ready just incase I did not finish the race or had a bad standing.
In the end, as long as you are never willing to give up you can accomplish anything you desire. Of course there is always a more effective way of doing it. 
p.s. avoid margaritas the day before.
I ask you this, what was the last vision, hope, dream that you walked away from or keep putting off due to doubt?
This was a lot more difficult than I expected it to be. When times get though along the way look for inspiration in the right places and just keep moving forward. I saw so many people that had less athletic ability than I did yet they just kept moving forward.
Everyday, do something to inspire yourself and just keep moving forward.
How often in life do we quit on our dreams, big or small, at the last minute. That critical time of decision and we find a reason to walk away. Let me tell you, I was ready to go home when I was standing there at the start line in front of the lake for the beginning of the swim.
When you feel like quitting, just do it anyways. That is how simple it really is, just do it anyways. keep moving forward, one inch at a time.
There was a point in the swim that I was thinking, “what the heck am I doing here?” Not even half way through the swim, I feared, “will I be able to finish this?” The answer is always yes.
It is amazing how much we have within ourselves. Never lose sight of that belief.
Be prepared to let all strategy and tactic go out the door. A month prior to this I cut my foot open and ever since I made every excuse not to do any training. Prior to the last month, I had gone to the pool to work on my technique and I must say, I was very impressed with my new swimming technique. I truly believed I would glide through that water during the race.
What we have to realize is that in the real world our strategy, tactics, techniques all can go down the drain. As soon as I hit the lake all technique vanished, it was swim to survive mode.
In the end, you do what you need to do in order to finish what you started, even if it does not unfold the way you expected it to.
Running through the finish line was all worth it. The sense of accomplishment will always over power the price we have to pay to get there.
To everyone that stood by me, thank you so very much. Sarah D., thank you for your weekly calls to check in on me and your enthusiasm and belief even though I was not training. Derrick Shirley, a man you did his first triathlon at 350 pounds, you are an inspiration. Sarah Hart, thank you so much for waking up at 4 am to come to the race as my support.
The list goes on and on and that my friends is the beauty of this sport.
Fred sarkari
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All right – way to go Fred! Knowing a bit about your journey and your recent injuries and set backs, the fact that you followed through to the finish line makes you the true inspiration my friend. Thanks for your reflections and wisdoms in this entry.
Did you know kids start as early as 3 years old doing tris? It’s the most amazing thing to watch the smiles on the faces of these little troopers with streamers and training wheels on their bikes, more interested in watching their shadow running beside them than their finish time. I find that the triathlon community is for everyone and is very welcoming despite your fitness level and the sport is a lot of fun! In my first Tri, I had a red bull before the race for a little extra “zip” and burped my way through. In my last tri I came in 3rd place in my age category, but the bigger triumph was to watch my son (12 years old at the time) complete his first tri. Now he wants to do one every year and train together for it. Besides the physical benefits, what I love most is connecting and sharing fitness with others, knowing everyone is a story of triumph.
Hey, now that you’re a “tri vet”, we can do one together! Maybe in September? We can start the Couch Busters Adventure Club! Every year complete one new thing totally out of your comfort zone; a year without cable TV, sing Kareoke, or hit Rec beach in Vancouver – ha! I’ve always dreamed of doing a full ironman in Hawaii now that I think about it…
What do you think Fred? Any other takers? First time adventurers?
Thanks Buddy,
Derrick
Hey Fred!
Wow! Congratulations on a job well done!!! Your endurance, humility, drive and knowingness that you could complete speaks to who you are. You endurance is amazing and have a lot of respect for this accomplishment. I know there will be other adventures you will take on as you live life to the fullest!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!
Kent
Thanks Kent, I am still on a high more so for all those other athletes pushing against all odds.
Derrick, you have hit the nail on the head, to watch those kids and the unity within the families was priceless.
When I was trying to figure out how to set up my bike at the transition stage there was a husband there that was volunteering at he event and his wife was competing. She was a veteran racer so was going around helping newbies like me. The best part was their little daughter, about 10 years old, was competing that day and was so proud of her parents as she talked so highly of them.
Derrick, that would be great – a new adventure journey.
YOU – sabotage your training?! You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t throw an extra hurdle in your own path Fred! But I never doubted for a minute that you would succeed! Way to go, you’ve inspired me to put down that wine bottle and get back into my training!
See you in September! Hugs Teri
Teri, do not put the wine bottle down. Just workout an extra 1o minutes.
Contragulations on your accomplishment! I admire your drive, Fred! I know how upsetting the setback for the Oliver race was….
Margarita’s the day before….that may be one to rethink for next time.
I will think re-think the margaritas, not a big fan of Tequila anyways. Maybe some beers for the carb loading.
Thanks Jocelynn, the Oliver race setback was a hard pill for me to swallow. But it was a lesson I guess I needed to learn.
Fred – I am so proud of you and was very happy reading about your first triathalon…YOU knew you would finish and that was most important. Thank-you for sharing your thoughts and insight along the way – it is always thought provoking and an inspiration!
Congratulations Fred!
I’m so happy you to hear that you did this and followed it through to the end. It’s great to see that you had that mental toughness to see you through the hard times… but remember, hard work pays off. Nobody else can do it for you! Congratulations again. Will there be another race in the near future? If you come here, I’ll help you train for it
Way to go Fred…I knew you were ready on that last bike ride we did with Bruce. You were just flying up those hills and looking so strong. I will try to use you as inspiration to work harder so I can do a triathlon this summer, perhaps Peachland. We should do some practice lake swims soon, hopefully the water will warm up! Keep on training and go easy on the margaritas!
Sylvie, I will for sure call you when I am ready to train for the Ironman. Anything less is a waste of your time. You are crazy!!!!
Heather, I need to get in the lake to swim. I was dying out there. I really do not think I had one stroke with proper technique.
Congrats uncle Freddy! I’m very very proud of you! and a little inspired..ok..alot inspired
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Now if only there was a tri race where they allow you to use motorized bicycles!
Fred,
“Congratulations” on your accomplishment – that’s truly something to be proud of! From the sounds of it, you more than just “survived” it – I think you’re guilty of a little downplaying there.
To Zan’s point, your story is very inspiring – and thought-provoing. (So, when are you going to kick-off the triathlon for the non-athletically-inclined???)
Hey Bro!
Well done my friend. I’m truly proud of yet another accomplishment on the Fred Sarkari walk of life. One of my favorite quotes is “The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become”. You’re constantly molding yourself into your full potential in all areas of your life and that is why I’m honored to be your friend. Well, one reason anyway
Take care and see you soon buddy,
CR
Thanks so much for all your encouraging comments. They mean the world to me.
My life journey would have no value without all your support and friendships.
That rocks! I envy you. The only time I really run is when I hear “Dinner’s Ready”.
That is funny Lindsay. I envy you cause no one ever says “dinner’s ready”, for me.
I am SO excited to read this. It looks like you made good time too! Rock on Fred!
Now, you know what more to expect from the event and yourself. Keep on going!
Thanks T, you are awesome.
Hope you are going to do another triathlon as well.
Keep inspiring, you are touching many with your blog.
great blog, bookmarked it to show my friend
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Great information we can learn new things thanks for sharing your blog i love it.