The Trifecta: Bucket List Accomplished

Posted on by Brook Easton

NUMBER 1

“Number,” said the man at the starting line.

“233.” I reply curtly.

“233. Go!”

The whistle pierced the air. Like a Pavlovian dog I obediently charge into the water. Running until solid ground evaporated beneath my feet, and then I begin. Stroke, stroke, stroke. My muscles working against the force of the 64 degree water. Midway through they rebel, cramping, tightening. A girl next to me asks for help and the rescue team dives into the water. My mind in a turmoil against my body. “Go!,” it yells. As my body tries to resist. The mind wins and I push on.

The mind guides my journey and in 2 hours I sprint across the finish line. Breathless.

_____________________

NUMBER 2

The screams could be heard miles away, 400 women ready to toss around the pigskin at historic Kinnick stadium home of the Hawkeyes. My voice melded with theirs in one large crescendo as AC DCs Back in Black roared from the large speakers we swarmed the field. It’s gameday.

I stand in line waiting my turn. Shifting from foot to foot. Antsy and ready to play. I’m next. Clearing each obstacle I run full speed into the tackle dummy. My body flies through air. THUD. My face meets the turf and I slide along the ground until the force of my body comes to rest. I hop up, empowered, invigorated and a little sore, Ready to do it again.

“We should recruit you,” said coach.

__________________________

NUMBER 3

The decongestant hadn’t kicked in yet, and I’m still stuffy, and coughing. My nerves are getting the best of me. The temperature warm, but clammy. I start shaking from an overload of adrenaline and butterflies. With shaky hands I apply the race stickers to my bike helmet and bike.I inhale trying to calm my nerves and then I feel it. The first rain drop.

“Racers make your way to the water,” booms the loud speaker. The rain has quickened turning into a downpour. As I go through my warm up rain drops are magnified off the lake surface, and impede my visability.

The whistle blows, and the sky clears.

With each leg of the race, more sun peaks through the clouds. With sun shining on my face I sprint headlong into the finish line, and beat the clock by two minutes.

1:58, my mom tells me. and tears well in my eyes.

_________________________________

Now I rest, and drink in that same warm sunshine.

I feel fulfilled. Life is good.

I have completed the trifecta.

Three items off the bucket list in three weeks.

I never had the intention of trying to be the overachiever and cram everything into three weekends, but that’s just how it worked.

It wasn’t easy. I battled anxiety, nerves, a terrible head cold, nasty weather and ice cold water on a chilly morning. But I persevered.

And with each accomplishment, my bucket was filled. My heart even more so, and my confidence … zoom out of the park.

But I will admit I’m exhausted. Spent. Put a fork in me I’m done.

It’s time to rest, regroup and start planning for next summer.

60 thoughts on “The Trifecta: Bucket List Accomplished”

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    1. It was awesome! I would totally do it again, and actually I’ve thought about starting a girls FB league in our area. There are so many badass girls that could totally rock it.

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  6. Congratulations! You must feel SO good! I haven’t done any triathlons, but I did go to a Ladies Football Academy a few years ago – such fun.

    You’re a great writer. Stopping by from Write on Edge.

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    1. Awww. HAHAHAHA…well at least you have the winning team this year. We are looking a little sad, but I see some potential. And there’s always next year.

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  10. Wow…that is absolutely awesome. You are an inspiration and I hope to cross something, anything off my bucket list this summer. I hope you keep it up, somehow, not by checking off another big milestone, but just by staying fit, adventurous and confident. I don’t mean to give advice, I just want to check back on you and feel inspired the way I do now. Found you on SITS.

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    1. Thank you so VERY much … Because truly that is my goal by crossing items off the list. It’s about the accomplishing something, about experiencing a journey. So thank you, because lately it’s been hard to stay fit, be adventurous and confident with the busyness of life in the way.

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    1. My next item on the list is to do some mud runs…there’s a Zombie run {Run for Life} that I thought would be fun and ironic at the same time. Because I used to joke that I’d only run if zombies were chasing me. 🙂

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  28. Way to go! I’m not going to lie; the football academy sounds awesome. Everything else, not so much. I am not a runner and have no desire to be. But what an accomplishment for you.

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  37. ok – so we’re not really twins even though I am a faux redhead and a marketing consultant cuz well, I can’t compete in triathlons cuz well I just can’t. When you near 50, you get realistic about things I guess. But I am so impressed by your accomplishment. Wow!

    Hope you are having a great SITS day.
    Beth (OMG! Yummy) recently posted..Rushing to Prepare for Rosh HashanahMy Profile

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    1. We are totally twins!!! Awesome. And trust me even almost 50 year olds can do a triathlon, I once had a 70 year old man run past me, trust me it can be done. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

    1. Good for you! Any type of bucket list is good. It’s all about setting goals and aspiring toward something. learning archery would be cool, you could channel your inner Katniss {Hunger Games reference}. 🙂 Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

  45. Wow you are one tough chick! I would have been whining like a baby. I am very impressed! Good lesson in how to reach for and never give up on your goals! Congrats and Happy SITS day.

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    1. THANKS!!! And yes, it’s mostly about the journey for me. While I love knowing my time is getting better, it’s still the accomplishment that makes my heart sing.

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