Inspiration in Small Packages A Story!

This post is about my sister Teresa and her young daughter Siobhan

I come from a medium size family.   Mom, Dad, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.    We are all very different from each other, but all very close and supportive of what ever we decide to do. 

We all have our "thing", but when Teresa told me that she was going to tackle a triathlon with her daughter, I was nothing but amazed.    Like really?   Who would even think to do such a thing.

I watched or really heard of her training all summer, on her own, without a trainer.   No one pushing her but herself!   Can you imagine how hard it is to do 44 laps in an outdoor, unheated pool each morning, regardless of weather (in New England) before work!  Bike rides up and down on a beast of a bike no less.   And then there is the dreaded running.   (I should mention, Palmieri's don't run.)  
They worked hard.   I was in awe.    I do complain that I don't have enough time to do what I want, but really, when I look at the determination here, I have to be embarrassed for myself for even thinking that.   

This past Sunday the event took place.    Hopkinton State Park.   8 am.    I will say it did warm up, but I had a sweatshirt on for the beginning of the event.   The thought of getting into the frigid water, never mind a long swim was daunting at best.

Sister Nancy and I found a cheering spot for the swim part of the race.  In true Palmieri form, you could hear us cheering for the swimmers as they exited the water and ran up the path, tearing off their hats etc to get a jump on the cycling part of the race.    We know that Teresa and Siobhan are in pink hats in the water.    We start cheering for them.. yelling their names as the pink swim caps are passing in front of us out in the water.   
What happens next is we hear them yelling back to us!     Can this be true??   Swimming and cheering from the water??     I guess all those frigid laps in the morning has paid off!  
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We can't wait to see them on the path to the bikes.    Here they come, looking like a day at the beach! 

On to the cycles they went.     Up and over the hill and back to the starting point.     As they passed by me, I wanted to cry.

They moved on to the grueling finish.

And finish they did.  Side by side, Mother and Daughter. 


An inspiration to me, these two small packages of women hood.   


Through my sister and niece, I am reminded of what it takes to accomplish a seemingly impossible goal.   

Determination.   Practice.   Teamwork.