10/12/2026
Happy Birthday Dad, Papa, Grumpola! ❤️
Here is a little diddy about my Dad on his birthday and how I got into triathlon…
Sometime a long time ago, when I was about 19 or 20, I casually mentioned to Dad that I wanted to try a triathlon.
My brother Joe and I grew up competitive swimming. We had friends who were elite triathletes in the IronKids program and even swam with a future Olympian in triathlon. Naturally, I was curious!
Well, apparently that one little comment was all Dad needed.
Unbeknownst to me, he signed BOTH of us up for the Danskin Triathlon. 😂
For those who remember Danskin, it was a WOMEN’S ONLY race! I’m still not sure how registration allowed him to sign up. But this was the early 2000s, and the internet was still working out its kinks. Never mind that the race title actually said Women’s Triathlon. Dad was excited and probably didn’t read all the details. 😂
Anyway, we started training. Me on my mountain bike and Dad on his road bike. I remember getting SO mad because he would drop me on the long straightaways of Blanco Road in San Antonio!
Then Dad casually shared another little detail.
He had signed me up for the ELITE category for my FIRST triathlon!!!
I was mortified! I’d NEVER done a triathlon! His reasoning? I was a competitive swimmer, so he figured it made sense. 🤦♀️
And that was the beginning of triathlon for me. Several seasons of training and racing with Dad, long drives to Lubbock and wherever else the races took us, and so many great memories.
It’s also how I met James. But that’s a story for another day! ❤️
Looking back, this is one of MANY examples of how Mom and Dad have always supported their kids. They encouraged us to try new things and truly believed we could do anything, even when we weren’t so sure ourselves!
I love that one little comment turned into something that became such a big part of my life. All because Dad decided we were going to give it a go!
As Dad always says, “La Vida!” ❤️
Dad, I hope you and Mom are having the best time at your 50-year college reunion and visiting Grandma!
Happiest of Birthdays!!! Love you, Dad! ❤️