Paul Asay

Race morning I’m driving in to Hawthorn Park at 6:00 AM being one of the first ones on site.  Not playing race director for the first time in 10 years so I decided to help work packet pickup for a while before it all gets going.  Nice chance to catch up with so many friends I have doing the race.  About 7:30 I walk back over to transition, get everything set and hang-out with Troy Charters and Forward Motion teammates till it is time to head to the swim start. Have a seat next to my mother in-law Judy at the beach house, and try to keep the nerves down for a few more minutes.  Decide to jump in and swim around the first buoy just to get the feel of the water and headed back for the beach start.  With the two at a time start I figured I would slot myself in around the mid pack.  Line myself up with another guy to the left and waited our turn.  My father in-law Paul is at the timing mat waving us to the start line.  Off we go and I run into th...

Flying home from California I had the good fortune to see one of my favorite scenes play out.  On a cloudy morning we taxied out at 6 AM and make the turn for takeoff.  Engines at full thrust we lifted above the runway, over the Pacific Ocean aiming straight for the clouds. Several minutes pass as we finally make the entrance to the thick gray.  As I watched through the window it seems as if we are not moving at all yet the pitch of the plane reminds everyone aboard of the altitude being gained.  Then as we pierced through the clouds I caught the rays of beautiful sunlight streaming into view.  Nothing but bright light with the endless cotton rolls below.  Rarely do I see such a stunning sight. This view reminds me of a journey spoken of in several books I've read, a couple very recently of those who had "Near Death Experiences".  The authors speak of leaving earth behind, traveling into a bright, warm loving light and entering a Heaven...