On Saturday, I headed down to the Lake Bemidji waterfront to watch the Paul Bunyan Triathlon, where I hoped to observe and learn from the athletes while also snapping some photos for the newspaper.

I couldn’t help but be inspired.

And since I had signed up for my first triathlon just 12 hours earlier, I knew I had a big learning curve. It’s a curve that will extend long beyond the race this Saturday in Walker. But one thing is certain: I’m going to love it.

Of course, I love to run. And I bought a road bike this past spring, and I like cycling. I even spent time watching the Tour de France the past 3 weeks. Swimming? I love being in the water, and enjoy swimming, even though I don’t do much of it and I am a below average swimmer. Actually, I know enough to basically prevent myself from drowning.

Still, since I know my tendencies, as soon as I finish the triathlon, I’m going to be counting the days until the next one. When it came to marathoning, I signed up for my second race 2 months before I started my first. I just loved the training that much.

The Paul Bunyan Triathlon also prompted a couple important revelations: nearly anyone can start and finish a triathlon, and it doesn’t take magical superpowers to do it.

The next morning, inspired by watching the triathlon and realizing my own deficit in cranking up mileage for the upcoming Twin Cities Marathon, I headed out the door early to put in a solid 15-mile run. It went well – especially since it was easily the longest run since last month’s Grandma’s Marathon.

On Monday, I hit the road after work, cranking out a speed session, with 10 1-minute surges over 7 miles. This morning, I rode over to Bemidji State University, where I jumped in the pool and promptly received a wake up call about how bad of a swimmer I really am. I guess there’s only one way to get better – and I’m determined to do it.