What is the Toughest Aspect of Triathlon? by Elaine Ryan.

Ask my husband, and he will tell you it is being married to a triathlete. Between self-absorbed workouts and body-image obsession, it takes a unique and compassionate partner to understand and support triathlon's all-consuming mindset.

I grew up in Southern California running track with Deena (Drossin) Kastor. I thrived on adrenaline from competition, team camaraderie when lacing up our spikes on the cinder, and kissing fit, sun-kissed boys in the back of the bus rumbling to track meets. But I never understood how grueling running is until I began training for distance sports.

It's easy to argue that running is the most difficult because it takes the most heart to finish. At the end of a triathlon, it's the final leg that forces us in touch with our humanity. After suffering through swim and bike, we still have to conquer that run. Hobbling along on toothpicks after the initial torture, trying to settle into some kind of recognizable pace takes the most courage.

Running isn't for the faint of heart. When summer temperatures climb excessively, sweating takes on new meaning. With perspiration flinging off pumping limbs, spit flying, and noses farm-blowing, I've shared more bodily fluids with running partners than I have in some intimate relationships. Running doesn't afford the luxury of cooling off in the water or catching a breeze; it forces us to visit putrid portable potties and put thirsty lips to slimy water spigots.

The run is so dependant on pace (sub-eights to count), on numbers (miles logged). It counts failures (DNFs) and looks for successes (age groups won). Running holds a scorecard of disappointments from races past and is never free of conditions that bind, or expectations that dictate. Running is challenging because of the accountability it keeps.

Running is the most difficult because it's so self-reliant, self-propelled, and self-motivated. It is free of any required superfluous gear, apart from a good pair of shoes, so it takes sheer heart. Running, in its purity, has taught me to be passionate and to cultivate the drive in my soul.