Today I joined the Triclub of San Diego for a pre-season series of clinics at Ski Beach in Mission Bay Park.  I still have no lack of learning ahead of me so I took advantage of the free event that promised to help me start understanding transitions between the swim and the bike and also the bike and the run.  There never seems to be an end to the learning in triathlon.  I continue to forget that even though this is one sport, you have to know how to do three sports to complete the day. More to do equals more to learn.

Yesterday, I received an email from the event letting everyone know that triathlon legend Julie Moss would be there to lead a 4K run and give a short talk.  I have met my fair share of entertainment celebrities, sports stars, business icons, and politicians and I am not one who acts like a stalker or a glazed over fan.  However, this is Julie Moss.  She almost single-handedly put triathlon on the map as we were captivated by the video shown across the screen on ABC Wild World of Sports in 1982.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbWsQMabczM

She was a 23-year-old grad student who entered the race as part of her physiology thesis and found herself in first place by 20 minutes well into the final marathon run.  Less than a mile to finish, her body was shutting down due to lack of nutrition and dehydration.  However, she kept moving forward until she finally crawled across the finish line only to find that her comfortable lead had disappeared and Kathleen McCartney had passed her 29 seconds before to capture the win.

All of this was broadcast via helicopter and handheld video on ABC Wild World of Sports.  I remember watching it then and thinking that was pretty cool that someone could put 140 miles of swimming, biking, and running together in one day.  Nothing I was interested in at the time, but very inspirational.

Sure enough, there was Julie at the event when it came time to talk about the run.  Unfortunately, I was not going to be able to join her on the 4K run as my fractured foot is still confined to the boot and my little kneeling scooter.  I listened to her talk and came to find out that she has returned to racing after taking a long hiatus.  In fact, she has roared back.  Two weeks ago, she placed first at the North American Ironman Championship in Texas in her age group.  She is now 59.  Amazing!

Even more amazing is this statistic.  In 1982 at the age of 23, she finished that famous race in Hawaii in 11:10:19.  In Texas a few weeks ago she finished the Ironman distance race in 10:46:51.  Faster at 59 than at 23.  A pretty cool story for us old folk.  Yes, the training and technology gods have helped us, but still a great accomplishment.

After the run wrapped up (for those who could run) we lined up for a BBQ of burgers, hot dogs, beans, slaw, etc..  All of a sudden, there was Julie in front of me asking me how what was up with my foot.  We got into that conversation and more as the line continued to move forward.  We got our burgers and sat on the grass and continued our chat.  It was a rare moment where I was star struck and truly grateful to be able to spend time with a legend.  Especially one that was so gracious and down to earth enough to hang with just anyone on the grass and eat a burger on a foam plate with them.