JJ: The Most Serious Form of Flattery

Goal!
Originally uploaded by jjactive.

My three year-old does somersaults after he scores a goal in our basement soccer games. He has been doing this since we witnessed a Major Indoor Soccer League player perform a flip after scoring. Joseph pours tiny cups of water over his head when he "wins" our football games because he has seen NFL players douse their coaches with Gatorade. Joseph loves swimming "laps" with his floaties on, wearing a jersey that goes down to his ankles while pretending he's Lance on training wheels, challenging me to intense 25-yard running races, and wearing my size 11 Adidas flip-flops. He brings Sports Illustrated into the bathroom.

What do you think Joseph would do if he saw me lying on the couch, watching ESPN, stuffing my face with Quarter Pounders, swigging Bud, smoking Marlboros, swatting our dog, and screaming at my wife?

I've been staying in decent shape but haven't competed in a triathlon since 2001, when health problems and Joseph's birth curtailed my training. I just signed up for an Olympic distance race this summer. I don't miss racing but it's time to dip my feet back into the lake. I'll make sure Joseph is at the finish line, which I don't doubt will be his start. - John