About 15 years ago I ran my first organized 5k. It's highly probable that this event marked the first time I had ever run a distance of more than about one mile. I was going to BYU at the time. Ladell Merritt, who was attending Utah State, called me and invited me to run the event with him. I accepted, but I'm not sure why. 3.1 miles seemed a terribly long way to run.

I slept on the couch at Ladell's apartment, and the next morning we made the trip to Wellsville together. We checked in and started prepping for the race. I knew I was slow, but I didn't care. I was just there as an excuse to spend time with a buddy.

Evidently I left a mark at that event. No, I wasn't fast. (If I remember right I finished in about 22 minutes.) I was the clown. But I didn't know it. For weeks after the event Ladell overheard people on the USU campus talking about the guy who ran the Wellsville 5k in Reebok Pump basketball shoes, a tanktop, and a Walkman.

A few months later Ladell invited me to another 5k. This one was in Star Valley, WY (my home town) involved running on a dirt road, and was downhill the whole way (down Swift Creek canyon to the park). Who can say no to that? I had picked up some real running shoes by that time, so I grabbed my trusty tanktop and my Walkman and joined the event. I think there were about 30 runners. Not even one person made any smart remarks about my Walkman or my tanktop. If memory serves, Holbrook Call (my cousin) ran the thing in about 13 or 14 minutes. I finished in about 20.

I haven't registered for a 5k since.

Last summer I received a phone call from Ladell. We hadn't talked in over five years, so the call was quite unexpected. He told me about a triathlon in Burley, Idaho called the Spudman and suggested that we do it together. I knew he was heavy into the triathlon scene, so the invitation wasn't a big surprise, but I was rather perplexed by the fact that I accepted the invitation. I liked the cycling idea, but drowning never has appealed to me, and the doctor who repaired my knee would strongly disapprove of the running portion. I figure Ladell must have used some kind of a Jedi mind trick. There is no other logical explanation.

I realized I had a lot of work to do. I spent several hours a week in the pool for over six months. I did a few shorter triathlons just to get the feel of the event, understand the transitions, make sure I wasn't going to die, etc.

Just as I was starting to get confident that I would be prepared for an event by the end of July, Ladell called me with what he claimed was the "perfect" way to prepare for the Spudman - the Cache Valley Classic on June 21. He was hoping he might even get our buddy DeWayne to do it (or part of it, on a relay team) since it was happening right there in DeWayne's backyard. I was quite excited about the idea. There was a catch. June 21 is my wedding anniversary.

After much coaxing and persuading, permission was granted (thanks, honey. ).

So, we spent this weekend in Logan. I think I hadn't seen Ladell for about seven or eight years. Last time we met his oldest was not quite one. Now he has four kids, (two boys and two girls). The youngest is not quite one. We spent Friday afternoon watching the kids play on the shore of the lake. We talked about everything from church to family to jobs. But mostly I spent the time quizzing him on how to run triathlons. He is quite the master, and I learned a lot.

Next morning I met up with Ladell at 5:30 to make our way to the starting line. The venue was absolutely gorgeous, the event was extremely well organized, and the weather was perfect. I told Ladell to save me some ice water at the finish line, and we were off.

I really enjoyed the 1500 meter swim (~27 minutes)...

I loved the 25 mile bike ride (~1 hour, 14 minutes)...

and I despised every last second of the 6.2 mile run (~1 hour).

I crossed the finish line 35 minutes after Ladell (he placed 5th overall, 1st in our age group). By the time I got there he was rested and ready for another go at it! What an amazing experience. Crossing the finish line brings with it an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. Somehow, in spite of the pain, a smile manages to emerge from my face everytime.

Now Ladell is back in Powell, Wyoming. I'm back in Draper. Next time we see each other will be in Burley, Idaho. I have about one month to figure out how to knock 35 minutes off my time. I'm thinking maybe a nice set of Reebok Pumps?

p.s.
Happy Anniversary, Sarah!