Sideline Stories: Casey Taker IRONMAN 70.3

I will never cease to be amazed at the adventure life can be. If you told me 3 years ago that in a few weeks I would be racing 70.3 miles…in Maine… with my Dad – I’m pretty sure I would have just laughed.
About a year ago, I started to notice a few things about myself:

#1. I was great at talking myself out of things I loved doing.
#2. I had not stepped out of my comfort zone and challenged myself in a long time.
#3. My Dad was still way cooler than I was.

I was about 2 weeks into my new job in Tampa, Florida, when I decided I needed to do an IRONMAN 70.3. It scared me to even think about. I was athletic, but besides running, none of the skills needed to tackle such a feat came naturally. Most of my cycling had been on bikes with fat tires and my current stroke of choice looked more like the doggy paddle. Yet, somewhere in the depths of that fear I felt empowerment.

Clicking onto the map my eyes were immediately drawn to the top right-hand corner of the country. Every summer my Dad heads up to Maine to escape the heat of the South and tend to our family’s summer cabin. Every summer I talk myself out of going because I convince myself I am “too busy.”

Suddenly I had two goals lined up in my sights. A phone call later I had a partner in crime. My Dad, never one to miss out on an challenge, was skeptical (I’m blaming it on the colorful, skintight clothing) but, did not hesitate when I asked if he wanted to join in the expedition. Damn…I may never be as cool as he is.

Fast forward 7 months and wow, what a journey this has been! I am now one of those people who bikes bridges before breakfast and rinses the day off with a swim in the ocean before dinner. I’ll still hit the snooze every now and again but, excuses no longer find their way into my everyday vocabulary. I remind myself that life is short, and that you must do the things you love every chance you get. It’s amazing that one little decision can start the domino effect that can completely change your life.

I cannot wait to get back up to Maine and cannot think of a better place to have such an adventure. This state has been such a big part of my family’s life for so many years. I know it’s up to me to keep the traditions going.