We have mentioned setting goals many times in this column, now we are going to start telling you success stories from folks who have achieved goals.

It all began with 10 years ago when I completed my first Sprint Distance Triathlon in Colorado. It was fun but one a year was enough. After three years of participating in this race, I moved across country, and it seemed that the triathlon training got packed in the boxes and put in the very back of storage. Seven years later, in 2009, I got talked into riding the bike leg of a duathlon. After only two weeks of training, I was on my bike and in a race. Well, that was all it took to get me excited again about the prospect of competing in triathlons. So, the training began.

My goal for 2009 was to complete four triathlons throughout the season. My first was in April in Clayton (300 meter swim, 14 mile bike & 3.1 mile run). I was a nervous wreck. My swims before were in open water and this was in a pool. How was it all going to work? What if a panicked? Would I know which way to run after I got out of the pool? It was a day filled with anxiety but once the race began that anxious feeling seemed to dissipate. As I neared the finish line I heard my mom and sister cheering (along with the rest of the spectators) and now I was filled with excitement! And once I crossed the finish line that excitement turned into relief… I finished and didn’t die!

The next race was at White Lake on Mother’s Day (750 meter swim, 14 mile bike and 3.1 mile run). Now there were tons more people, an open water swim over twice the distance of my last race with 50 people starting at the same time… WHAT! The swim, it is my weakest event and always created anxiety. What if someone kicks me, what if my goggles fill with water, what if a panic? The list went on and the nerves took over. It was a tough swim, posing all new obstacles. But then the swim was over, and I was able to enjoy the nice, flat, fast bike and run course.

In June, I was off to Wilson for Battle at Buckhorn (1000 meter swim, 17 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). It was a great location and a much smaller race which was awesome. For the first time I actually enjoyed the swim! My time was about the same as it was for White Lake, but it was 250 meters further. The bike had some tough hills but I pushed through. One disadvantage of living in the flat land is that just about everywhere has a lot of hills compared to here! I finished with some of my best times of the season.

In August I decided to combine a visit with my family in Pennsylvania with the Steelman Triathlon at Nockamixon State Park (figured I would kill two birds with one stone). And just because I am who I am, I decided to register for an Olympic Distance Tri (1600 yard swim, 24.6 mile bike & 6.2 mile run)! Once again the dreaded swim, it was just about a mile, could I really swim a mile? After picking up my race packet, we viewed the swim course as the buoys were already in the lake. My parent’s reaction “Wow, that sure is far” and they were right! The race started at 7a.m., which meant we had to get up at 4:15 a.m., yikes! What made it even worse was that we woke to a steady, hard rain! As we are driving to the race in the pitch dark and pouring down rain, I am wondering why I am not still curled up in bed and in my pajamas (I’m sure my parents were thinking the same thing). As I set my equipment up in the transition area, I wonder if there was any way that the garbage bag would really keep my shoes dry. So there I stood in my wetsuit, still chilly wondering Why I did this to myself. Then I remembered, because I love to challenge myself and it really is fun. Despite the weather I finished the race strong and was very proud of my performance, as were my parents. Now I know I can do a longer distance!

The next Saturday I was in Roxboro, for the Mayo Lake tri (750 meter swim, 15 mile bike and 3.1 mile run). The cool part of this race was I was competing as part of a relay team. My job was to complete the swim (which is amusing since I am a really slow swimmer), which I did. Then, for the first time, I got to be a spectator. What a great experience!

Lake Royale (500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) in Louisburg, was the last stop of the season. Even though the distances were slightly shorter, it was a tough course. The up hills on the bike were tough, but I sure went fast on the down hills! The run was by far the hilliest course I have ever run. How good it felt to run up the last hill and know the finish line was right around the corner. I kicked it into high gear and finished strong. What a great feeling to know that I finished my last race of the season.

The best part about accomplishing my goal was continuing to push myself, mind, body and soul into becoming a stronger person all around. And I knew what didn’t kill me would only make me stronger. The experiences along the way were priceless. I wouldn’t have been as successful as I was without my training team (AKA the “A” team). The best part was sharing these experiences with family and friends. Educating them on triathlons and inspiring them to challenge themselves, it’s a win-win situation for all of us!

What’s in store until next triathlon season? A marathon, some duathlons (run, bike, run) and working on becoming a stronger, faster swimmer, I’ve got my work cut out for me!

We don’t expect everyone to start getting in shape by doing four triathlons in a year, but we do want you to challenge yourself with a goal you can achieve, if you stay focused and dedicated. The Sampson County Partners for Healthy Carolinians will be at eight different locations across the county this Saturday for walk Across Sampson County Day. Set a goal to come walk at one of those sites. Visit our website at www.scpfhc.org to find the location nearest you.