There has been an undeniable feeling of 'YAHOO' in my home since Saturday. Dylan is living the post-race high, and it's provided us a few days of giggles, more giggles, and many victorious high 5's. He is rather famous around town as every kid on the street has been allowed to touch his medal, and everyone we know has called to congratulate him and get his replay of the BIG race. It's also encouraged much talk between Dylan and myself, as to what he accomplished, what he would like to do next, and what really happened out there on the race course (he hit The Wall at 1.2km, it was no-so-fun).
The following interview has therefore been put together using information gathered over the past 3 days. Some questions and answers have also been translated into proper adult English. Although some would argue that this is not proper journalism, he is only 3, and any attempt for a sit down interview quickly got turned into a game of 'good guy bad guy'.
I am using this milestone not to promote Dylan's pro athlete career, rather, we are hoping it will inspire others to try, and perhaps help ease the nerves of any first timers out there. Here it is:
Me: Dylan, u did it! How do u feel?
D: Did I win?
Me: Everybody won; it's about enjoying yourself and trying to be the best you can be. Are you happy with your race?
D: I know I won, because when I stopped there were lots of people behind me, so that means I beat them.
Me: Yes, you did beat some. Were there people ahead of you, did they beat you?
D: Yes, but they don't count.
Me: Did you enjoy racing? Would you like to do another one?
D: Yes, but not today.
Me: No, you recover first, and when you are ready, we can do another one.
D: Will the same kids be there?
Me: No, different kids next time.
D: I want the same kids, so I can beat them again. You should call their mommies.
Me: I'll try...
Me: What happened in the race? You stopped running and wanted a piggy back, but then you were running again?
D: I wanted a snack. It was a very lllloooooonnnnnggggg race, and my legs were getting tired, so was my tummy. But then the lady gave me a lemonade, and let me jump in her sprinkler, and then my legs weren't tired no more. I like lemonade now. And then I was running fast.
Me: You made a friend while you were racing. That was cool.
D: His name was Euan. I didn't know that, it was written on his shirt, but I can't read names yet so his mommy told me his name. And I high 5ed him and we ran really fast. He helped me and I helped him.
Me: Right, that was good teamwork! Then you left him behind and started running faster, why?
D: After I helped him keep running, it was time for me to win the race. So I ran straight ahead faster than him. I didn't look at him, I looked straight so that I wouldn't trip on my other foot. That's good running form. Then, I saw my friend Euan again, after the race, at the juice table. He looked strong, but he needed a lot of juice. I think he did good in the race. I beat him though.
Me: How do you want to train for your next race?
D: In the winter I play hockey, but now it's spring, almost summer, and then it's fall, and then it's winter. So I have a long time before hockey. I like winter because I like to making angels in the snow. But now it's spring almost summer, and there's no snow so we have to put lots of ice in the tub after we train, right mommy?
Me: Right, mommy likes a cold ice bath.
D: So now, in spring almost summer, I use my new scooter for training. And I run with my soccer ball, and I race auntie in the back yard because she can't run, so I beat her to the fence every time.
Me: That's not nice Dylan, that's not the point...
D: But mommy, she just has to run faster, but she can't, so I win. It's by accident!
Me: OK
D: AAANNNDD, for training I do lots of swimming in the big pool. I do swim-bike-run training and racing, but at this race the police were everywhere and they only let us run. They had motorcycles and they were talking to all the good kids; they were trying to find the bad-kid-racers.
Me: The what?
D: The bad-kid-racers: the kids that come to the race and think they will win, but they can't win, and then they cry and they don't get a medal or any lemonade. I got a medal because I won the race.
Me: Everyone who finished got a medal Dylan. It's not about winning.
D: Yes it is mommy. It's about winning when you are fast like me. When you are slow, then it's not, but I'm super fast, and I race to win.
Me: I'm very proud of you Dylan. Not because you won, because you did it. What was your favorite part about your big race?
D: I liked helping my new friend Euan. And I like lemonade now. And the blue toilets were funny because you can't flush them, you just peepee in the hole, and you don't look in the hole because....
Enough said.
It should be noted that Dylan has never completed a triathlon yet. He is too young. He does watch the Kona videos, and does hope to qualify, one day in 15 years.
We hope Dylan's competitive streak will not shy away any newcomers to the sport.