I've never done a triathlon before, but my daughter encouraged me to do it. I've always been fit and active, but seeing her do this really inspired me.
I can't wait to train with the Jill B. Nimble team for my next event. I am so moved by the support they gave me at my first triathlon, and I wasn't even one of their registered athletes!
I had gotten to the race site early, knowing that it would be crowded. 30 minutes before my wave started, I was triple checking my transition area, and it dawned on me that I did not have my bike helmet. My heart stopped - I looked all around me. No one had come with me, and home was an hour's drive away. I got a sinking feeling….and then, someone came by, and it was as if she knew I needed help. I mean, there were about 5000 women at this race, and there she was looking at me. "Are you okay?" she asked. I quickly explained my dilemma.
She thought for a second, then determinedly said, "Come with me, I think I can help." She was off in a flash, and I had to run to keep up with her. As we went, I saw that the back of her shirt, read "Jill B. Nimble" and the side of her running hat read "Coach". We went to the Jill B. Nimble tent, where she spoke quickly to another coach on the phone. She grabbed some keys out a bag, and I followed her to the parking lot. She pulled two helmets out of a trunk, and within two minutes had fitted one of them perfectly to my head, and I was walking with my newfound friend back to my transition area. The only thing she asked was for me to come back to the tent to return it and let her know how I did. Although we had only met a few minutes earlier, her encouraging words and smile were sincere.
Later, when I got back to the tent with the helmet, I was greeted as if I was a member of the team. I was offered a seat in the shade, goodies, water and best of all, sincere congratulations. I thought I didn't know anyone at the race, but it turned out it that didn't matter.
I'll never forget how a Jill B. Nimble coach saved me that day. That's why I can't wait to train with the Jill B. Nimble team for my next event. They took care of me when I was a complete stranger - I know they'll really support me for my next tri.