Mike Alexander beat the odds last weekend by completing the Elk Lake Triathlon.
In and amongst over 600 athletes, volunteers, family and friends Alexander, a 43-year-old Ojibwe male, finished his first standard distance triathlon (1.5 kilometres swim, 40km bike, 10km run).
No one there knew his story, save for his partner. ThatB次元官网网址檚 the thing about a triathlon, you see someone in their fancy new triathlon kit, maybe theyB次元官网网址檙e even on a flashy bike, but you donB次元官网网址檛 know the state of transcendence theyB次元官网网址檙e experiencing.
But it was only three years ago Alexander hit rock bottom. After the suicide attempt, and the fallout, he was able to move forward.
B次元官网网址淥nce that happened, dealing with that, why that happened, that changed a lot of things for me.B次元官网网址�
And thatB次元官网网址檚 how it is for Alexander, who arrived in Victoria three years ago. At the time he was a 320-pound smoker who drank heavily to cope with deep depression.
B次元官网网址淚 came here for a fresh start but I didnB次元官网网址檛 know IB次元官网网址檇 be getting sober,B次元官网网址� said the James Bay resident. B次元官网网址淚 knew something was wrong with me, I felt tired and awful all the time.B次元官网网址�
Anticipating a life-changing medical diagnosis he got on a bike and started pedalling. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 easy but, by the time he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it came with a recognition that he was no longer the fun, hilarious person he used to be, his determination snowballed into results. He began biking the 20km distance to work, quit drinking, quit smoking, changed his diet and lost 115 pounds. Along the way he became a B次元官网网址榞rassroots riderB次元官网网址� for Easton Cycling and Lusso Bikes.
And he can now say heB次元官网网址檚 officially finished a triathlon.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just so amazed at myself, at what this means,B次元官网网址� he said over coffee. B次元官网网址淲hat else can I do? This changes everything. this opens doors.B次元官网网址�
The diabetic.
Alexander is not on any medicine and is able to keep Type 2 diabetes in check with diet, exercise and sobriety.
B次元官网网址淚 was scared to get the diagnosis. I knew something was wrong. I didnB次元官网网址檛 feel well. I [even] started bike riding before I got diagnosed.
B次元官网网址淣ow I feel better emotionally, physically and spiritually.B次元官网网址�
The swimmer.
Like many triathletes, the swim is the hardest. Alexander trained in the pool but the idea of open water was intimidating.
B次元官网网址淭he first 5oo meters of the triathlon swim [1.5 kilometres] did not go well. I kept thinking B次元官网网址業 donB次元官网网址檛 belong here. IB次元官网网址檓 too slow. TheyB次元官网网址檙e going to pull me out.B次元官网网址� I coulndB次元官网网址檛 find a rhythm. But I finished. I never looked back.B次元官网网址�
The cyclist.
Once he transitioned to the bike he knew he would be OK. It was his comfort zone.
B次元官网网址淚 started passing people. I felt good. My heart [wasnB次元官网网址檛 racing].B次元官网网址�
Weight loss, sobriety and a commitment to being an artist all started with cycling.
From his home in James Bay, Alexander commutes daily, 20km to work and 20km back home. Sometimes he adds kilometres taking the long way. In total itB次元官网网址檚 160 to 180 km each week, 7,000km last year. He rode the Tour de Victoria 90km route in 2016 and the Tour de Victoria 140km route last year.
B次元官网网址淲ho am I? IB次元官网网址檓 the guy riding home along the the Pat Bay at 2 a.m. in the fucking rain, thatB次元官网网址檚 who I am.B次元官网网址�
This year Alexander will miss the Tour de Victoria to participate in a drum-making workshop.
The runner.
B次元官网网址淔aster than I thought. I cut off five minutes [from my training time]. IB次元官网网址檓 okay with that. IB次元官网网址檓 not injured. That was the concern.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know what IB次元官网网址檓 doing. I was concerned with injury. I looked at books on triathlon. I run in a way that probably isnB次元官网网址檛 right. I just had to trust in what I was doing.B次元官网网址�
The artist.
To pay the bills Alexander is a B次元官网网址榖uilderB次元官网网址� who works nights at Portofino bakery in the Keating industrial area, assembling orders for restaurants and grocery stores. Otherwise, heB次元官网网址檚 an emerging artist inspired by VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous artist in residence, , and by local artists and
B次元官网网址淚 have to create, I have to make art.B次元官网网址�
CanadaB次元官网网址檚 new race duds specially designed by Carey Newman are in. Get the story behind how Triathlon Canada is bringing together the worlds of sport and art for the 2018 race season!
B次元官网网址� Triathlon Canada (@TriathlonCanada)
(Tweet: NewmanB次元官网网址檚 design of Triathlon CanadaB次元官网网址檚 skinsuit caught AlexanderB次元官网网址檚 attention, and the two connected from it.)
Alexander is in the midst of a series of healing workshops with other Indigenous males. HeB次元官网网址檚 carved a canoe paddle with Sutherland. HeB次元官网网址檚 spent time in NewmansB次元官网网址� workshop learning. HeB次元官网网址檒l attend a drum making workshop Aug. 18 and 19. And heB次元官网网址檒l soon share the experience of a sweat lodge after that.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 something I can relate to about being with other natives, the healing.
The person.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to encourage more Indigenous people to try this sport. I hear about how the homeless population here is a third Indigenous, thatB次元官网网址檚 hard to hear.
B次元官网网址淧eople here are friendly but, thereB次元官网网址檚 this attitude of sympathy for Indigenous, or, B次元官网网址榳ow, thatB次元官网网址檚 an unfortunate [situation] for them.B次元官网网址� These are unceded lands. There should be more support, there should be more recognition that these are people trying to fit into this system [who never came from this system.]B次元官网网址�
