After crashing my bike and getting knocked down a peg, I’m back on “the horse” and I’ll be riding the bicycle leg for Team Baumer in this morning’s REV3 Maine Triathlon 2013.

My wife, Mary, completed all three events last year. I was totally impressed at the way REV3 puts on a triathlon party. I caught the fever last August, and wanted to join my lovely wife in doing a tri. There was just one problem—I couldn’t swim. Not a problem. If you’re willing to humble yourself and believe that old dogs can learn new tricks, you can do amazing things.

I joined the world of triathlons in June, completing the spring Pirate Tri at Point Sebago. I even began to like being in the water, which was so weird for me, given how I hated every training session for the first six weeks I was in the pool.

I thought I might swim, bike, and run the OOB event, but knee problems ruled out pushing up to a 10K run. That’s when Mary and I got the idea of doing the family thing and teaming up with our son, Mark.

Of course, when you crash your bike 2+ weeks before the event, crack your rib, and puncture your lung, you figure you blew it and let everyone down. Not to worry. Following an aggressive approach and believing I could get back on the bike in time, I’m here in OOB, exciting to be cranking out some miles in a few hours. Mary will set the tone with a 7:30 swim. Mark will bring it on home for us with when he crushes the 10K.

OOB is a trip, just watching the people. It’s even more fun being able to take part in a great event like this one, filled with some amazing professionals, too.

Onward and upward!!

Team Baumer arrives in OOB.

Our captain leads the way.

Dusk at the end of Day 1.