Just Yesterday...

March is here. I turned 49 the other day, and the countdown to the Big 50 is officially on. It's hard to believe that just yesterday it was 32 years since I walked out of Wildwood Catholic High School for the last time, or 27 years since I played a meaningful baseball game — or any baseball game. Somehow, 23 years have passed since I got the bright idea to start my own triathlon in North Wildwood, NJ (Tri the Wildwoods). I had ZERO idea where that idea would take me, or how it would help change the racing landscape of southern New Jersey. It's been 16 years since I sat in my first all-agencies meeting in Atlantic City and proposed we use the expressway as our bike course. Over 13 years ago, my wife asked, "Don't you people like to jump off boats?" Twelve years ago, Challenge Family came calling for their first venture into the United States. I wasn't ready, but I took the chance and learned enough for two lifetimes. Ten years ago, we produced the first-ever Ironman 70.3 in Atlantic City. From that experience, we poured everything we had into our company with grand visions of growing the DelMo Series. Six years ago, everything changed — and we doubled down on US.

Everything I've been through in this sport cannot be taught in a classroom. Nothing prepares you for what takes place in the real world, because reality is undefeated. Amazing things happen every day if you are tough enough to keep moving forward — to carry on despite what the demons in your head say. That is where the magic happens. It doesn't happen in a single email or phone call. It happens when you string together thousands of emails, phone calls, handshakes, congratulations, apologies, hugs, and high-fives. It also happens when you make the decisions that no one ever wants to face or has the guts to make.

I sit here, staring down 50 with deep humility. I realize we're all very lucky to be here — that life is jam-packed with ups and downs, that the good and the bad do not last, and that you never know what lens someone sees life through or what battles they had to fight just to show up on race day. The most we can do is be kind — to our fellow athlete, vendor, client, or the random person walking down the street.

All of this, every last bit, is a gift.

-DelMo