Why be bad at one sport, when you can suck at 3?

The saying of many triathletes. Interestingly it's got a bit of truth to it.

I'm Erik Olson, guest blogger for Dropping the F Bomb. Recently Scott Campbell reached out and asked if I would write a guest blog about triathlon. Scott is a friend and occasional running partner...when he wants to go slow! Tri is my sport. Swim, Bike, Run. Actually Para Triathlon. I'm a short bus kid. Born with one clubfoot, and Prune Belly Syndrome. Google it. If you want the short version...I have no abs, and my right leg/ankle is basically junk. It works, but it's not very useful and has a lot of random pain and lousy balance. Fortunately, when I was a kid, no one said “you'll never play sports, run, etc.” With many in my position, that's exactly what they heard...and believed. I'm what we call someone with “hidden disabilities”.

I played hockey and football. I raced BMX as a teen. Then later in my 30's decided to do runs. 5K's at the most. I thought it was cool when I could run a mile. I discovered that activity made me feel good. Then along came kids and marriage and bills, broadcasting, and a few pounds of fat. Then in my 40s, about 10 years ago, I decided to get back to running. I've been able, just not fast or proficient. I literally downloaded “couch to 5k” and got going again...then “5k to 10k”. I ran my first 10k in Billings, which to this day is my PB at 1:09. I found that I do better at longer distances. I'm not cut out for short and fast stuff. In fact, I still haven't broken 30 minutes in a 5k...close, but not quite. Long story short, I am a slow runner...it is my worst sport, but oddly my favorite. What kinda shit is that to be dealt?

Somewhere in that time frame, I began learning more about my disabilities, which led to the introduction to a Para Triathlete named Tony Spineto with bilateral clubfoot. He's an Ironman and quite successful. He suggested triathlon and sanctioning with USA Triathlon...then into the Para realm. He said it this way...”do you want to be competitive against others like you, or do you want to remain back of the pack?” As I gave this some thought, I found myself signing up for the Bighorn Triathlon at Bighorn Lake in Wyoming.

This was about 4 years ago. I bought a bike, a wetsuit, and some goggles. I downloaded a training program off the internet and started training months before the race. As part of my training, I ran a Thanksgiving Day 10k in Powell put on by my now Triathlon coach. She is an Ironman named Rinda Eastman from Powell, owner of Rinda's Total Fitness. She encouraged me to get in touch regarding triathlon. I started swimming with some friends that also signed up for the same tri. It was rough...I thought I was gonna die...lots of doubt, 15 miles on a bike was hard...what had I gotten myself into!?

Fast forward to July that year...and the Bighorn Tri. I trained...but I was scared. Looked out on the lake and the buoys seemed so far away! I knew the bike was all uphill one way...and so was the run. But I had friends with me, so I didn't want to show my fear...LOL. I raced, it was ugly...I had full on open water swim panic...I stopped to catch my breath...wanting to rip my wetsuit off and breathing like an asthmatic. As I was hanging onto a Kayak (legal as long as you don't progress while holding on), I had one thought. “I have way too much time and energy into this to quit.” This turned into “I will not quit...no matter what!” I started to feel better and continued on...well dog paddled my way to the buoy and back to shore...amazingly not last! I survived...dejected and embarrassed...then the bike went ok...and the run not too bad. I wasn't last until about the last half mile. I finished a Sprint triathlon. 750 meter swim, 11 miles on the bike, followed by a 5k. I was DFL (Dead F%*#ing Last)! But I did it! They say you'll be addicted if you do it once...it took a bit, but I signed up for 2 more sprint distance races that same year.

The next year, I got more aggressive, and started racing in the para division. I finally called Rinda and signed her as my coach. I did a few sprints and a couple of Olympic distance races. Oly is .9 mile swim, 26 miles on the bike, and a 10k run. I got better and built confidence. The swim became routine. Training became more intuitive and structured with a coach.

Another year, and a more aggressive goal. A half Ironman! 1.2 mile swim, 56 miles on the bike, and a half marathon (13.1 miles) run. I actually did think I'd bit off more than I might be able to chew. The bike and the swim aren't too bad for me, but the run can be painful. I survived a half ironman and won the para division! I know...surprised the shit out of me too! I also started getting sponsored and racing on the Challenged Athlete's Foundation team. They help challenged people participate in sports in para divisions with supporting equipment, medical and the like.

Last year, I completed another Half Ironman. I came in second. I got first and 2nd places in two other races in Boulder as well. I finished last year ranked 19th in para men in America by USA Triathlon. There is a guy ranked 18th that is going to the Para Olympics! The downside to last year was the discovery that my right clubfoot is developing osteo arthritis and the cause of some serious pain. The upside is that I broke my shoulder at the end of last season in a non racing related tree trimming incident...and met a doctor that was willing to work on the care of that foot...after I got healed up from the plate and screws in my shoulder of course. I learned that I suck at landing!

This led to a device not exactly designed for my condition. It's called an AFO, or Ankle Foot Orthosis. It is designed for people with drop foot. But we researched and it looked like it might address the issues I was experiencing. I started with this in December, and have not had pain in several months! Never in my life have I NOT had foot pain of some kind. In a weird twist of fate, I ended up meeting Becky Piper, an athlete who uses an AFO for a different issue. Meeting Becky ultimately led to a relationship with the Swedish company Allard. They design and manufacture everything from artificial limbs to braces and things along those lines for evryone including challenged athletes. Someday, I may have an artificial lower leg, but for now, with their help, I am doing better than ever.

This year will bring the Colorado Tri series, and Ironman 70.3 Arizona, as well as some local and shorter races. I'll be doing the Cody to Shell bike ride. It will be a tough year, and I am hopeful the new brace will improve my running times...and potentially the bike too! I do love triathlon and sports in general. It takes a lot of time and dedication . It also takes a very understanding family.

The point to all this is that, even tough I was never a great runner...I am not the runner I was...when you train for 3 disciplines...you're no longer really good at one. It's a general rule. I'm best on the bike and an average swimmer these days. Running continues to be my “achilles heel”.

I never would have predicted I would be where I am in sport. Especially at 52. However, I have made some amazing friends, race associates, and sponsors along the way. There's also fellow para, normie, and pro triathletes I have relationships with now that continue to encourage and inspire me. There are a bunch that are WAY more badass than me. Triathlon is an amazing sport with a ton of camaraderie and support from fellow athletes and spectators. I get to have fun, stay active, keep in shape, and hopefully live long enough to be a pain in the ass to my kids and grand kids! I hope to do triathlon into my old age.

Truth is...If I can do it...anyone can...and I mean that! If I have any hope, it's that maybe I inspire someone else to do something for themselves that is good for them. I have struggled with weight my whole life, and sport is the only thing that keeps all that in check. Besides, I love it! The sense of finishing a race is an amazing thing. Win or not doesn't matter. The fact that you worked hard for something and accomplished it is where it's at! I will have finished 25 triathlons this year...and I have no intention of stopping.

So, If you want to suck at 3 sports...give tri a try! I'm always available for help and support. Either way, there's a quote I saw somewhere that I like to remember from time to time! “Find that thing that sets your soul on fire...then do that!”

Peace the F out!

Erik Olson

OK fam that's a wrap for this week. I hope you enjoyed what Erik had to say and found it to be informational. Please don’t be shy about asking questions or making comments. Let me know what topics you would like discussed or how I could make this blog my Facebook Page Dropping The F Bomb and my IG page of the same name more suited to your needs. If you missed last weeks blog on "The Truth About Herbal Remedies", you can find it here. Stay healthy #fitfam and see you next week. Joke of the week:

Q: What is the ideal weight of a lawyer?

A: About three pounds, including the urn.

Scott

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Goodbye for now,