Will of Man - Part One (3 page)

When the electricity came back on there was a special report on the news. Apparently we weren't the only ones. Amazingly, all of North America and parts of Russia were in a black out. No explanation yet, but very weird. How does that happen?

My dad looks worried. But on a better note, I got a Mini-I Pad!

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 53

Date: December 26

Day: Sunday

Weather: Cold, Cloudy, Windy

I had a bizarre dream last night. I dreamt I was running in an off-road triathlon. I was running on a path in a thick forest. I found myself passing racers by the dozens. The racers were different people in my life – good and bad. I ran past Grandma and Grandpa, my history teacher, Jax, and many other people from my past and present.

The trail was mostly smooth with a few fallen trees I had to jump over. I was really tearing up the coarse feeling like Superman. Then suddenly the vegetation got thicker and thicker until sunlight was barely visible.

I found myself running through a tunnel of vegetation, branches, and wet vines. It got where I could barely push through. I fell to my knees and had to crawl with all my strength. I got to the point where I was on my belly squirming and pulling myself forward.

Then suddenly I came to an opening and at the opening I could finally stand up. There the trail split. There was a volunteer standing in the middle of the split paths with a bright yellow tee shirt that read volunteer.

I asked the volunteer which way to go. The volunteer said my path is determined by my own will. I didn’t understand. But I knew I had to keep going otherwise I was going to get passed. Triathlons are won by seconds and I didn’t have time to spare any seconds.

I looked down each path. One led to my family cheering me on and waving for me to come to them. The other led to beautiful girls and jocks that usually ignore me. The girls and jocks were waving me in also. Each path led to two very different groups wanting me to join them.

I had to choose between my family who has always loved me and accepted me and a group of people who have always ignored me and made me feel like an outsider. But now the path with the girls and jocks were inviting me to join them also.

The side with my family gave me a feeling of warmth and love. The other side with the girls and jocks offered power and status.

I could sense my decision would decide the rest of my existence. That whichever side I chose, the other would no longer accept me ever again – ever.

The decision was easy. I chose my family.

The dream was so vivid. I woke up feeling like I made a huge decision, like I had to choose a team. Then when the time comes, the two teams will compete for a grand prize. What that prize is – I don’t know.

Most dreams I shrug off, but this one will have me thinking all day.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 62

Date: January 18

Day: Sunday

Weather: Cold, Cloudy, Windy

Training: 20 minutes steps, 20 minutes bike trainer

I did the OPC indoor triathlon yesterday and Hailey Camp was there watching her aunt race. The OPC indoor triathlon is a triathlon where it’s all indoors. You swim laps in a pool for 20 minutes while someone counts your laps, then you bike on a stationary bike for 20 minutes, and then you finish running laps around an indoor track for 20 minutes.

They have a formula for calculating how far you went and how you compare to the other racers. I’m one of the youngest racers, so it’s an easy first place for me in my age group since there usually isn’t anyone competing at my age.

A lot of beginners like doing them because the swim is in a pool and they can rest at the end of the swim lanes if they want. They are fun and help the winter months pass.

Like I said Hailey’s aunt was there doing it for fun with some of her friends from where she works. Hailey Camp is very nice. She and I have a couple classes together so we should be able to talk about this race when we see each other.

Indoor triathlons are kind of a spectator’s event where family and friends can watch and cheer you on. I know Hailey was there to cheer her aunt on, but she made a point to cheer for me every time she saw me. It was really cool having someone from my school there to see me in action.

A lot of people know I do triathlons, but no one ever has seen me. I have to admit, I pushed myself a little harder today knowing Hailey was watching. We exchange glances a few times during and after the race. Actually, it was a lot.

I hope she doesn’t think I was being creepy looking at her so much. I tried to play it cool. But actually every time I looked at her she was glancing at me with a smile. So I think I’m ok, I stayed out of the creepy zone.

She came up to me before she left and congratulated me. She had a lot of questions about triathlons and how long I’ve been doing them. I told her I could help her if she wanted to try one. She just laughed and said she knows nothing about triathlons. I told her it’s just swimming, biking, and running. Not much thinking involved. Just point yourself in the right direction and go. She laughed and said she would think about it.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 63

Date: January 19

Day: Monday

Weather: Cold, Cloudy, Windy

Training: 20 minutes steps, 20 minutes bike trainer, 20 minutes cross training

Hailey stopped by my locker today to say hi. We talked for a bit and nearly were tardy for class. But I think I would have taken the tardy to talk to her a bit more.

Later that day during lunch she sat by me and showed me some pics of me racing that she took with her phone camera. She said she hoped it wasn’t weird that she took some pics of me, but she thought maybe I would like them.

We exchanged cell phone numbers and she texted me the pics. We talked all lunch hour and I totally forgot my friends were there. They were cool though and didn’t try to embarrass me. They think she’s cool too.

Hailey is cool. She doesn’t act snobby, or full of herself like many girls do. She always has a smile and never puts people down. She’s smart, but also likes to kid around. She can take a joke just as well as she can give one.

She’s says she likes to run also, so maybe when it gets warmer, I’ll ask her to go running with me. We’ll see.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 73

Date: January 26

Day: Saturday

Weather: Doesn't matter

Training: SWIM RACE DAY!

I competed today at the Owosso swim meet and earned two first places and two seconds. Been concentrating on my form and keeping my toes pointed. My new swim suit has a reduced drag and my shoulder is finally feeling a hundred percent again.

My new coach has taught me a lot and the new technique’s she's showing me is paying off. I can't wait for triathlon season to begin.

Hailey asked if she could stop by the race to see me compete. I said sure but explained it could be a long wait. Some swim meets last up to three hours. I would hate for her to have to sit that long to see me compete for a couple minutes. I hoped I didn’t put her off and have her think I didn’t want her there.

She showed up anyways with some friends and I was very happy to see her. I kept looking at her and giving her subtle waves so she didn’t think I was ignoring her. I kind felt bad because she did end up sitting for a long time.

I went over to say hi as much as I could but the coach wanted us to stay together as a team on the deck of the pool. I hope she didn’t think I looked silly in my Speedo’s. I was flexing so much I think I tired myself out before the race! Ha!

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 88

Date: February 9

Day: Tuesday

Weather: Cold as usual

Training: 20 minutes steps, 30 minutes bike trainer (160 average heart rate)

Hailey and I are official! The guys are relentless. I get picked on every time I see them. But it's all in good fun. She's wearing my swim team pull over.

It's weird, now that we're going out, I feel "awkward" around her. Conversations were so much easier before we "committed." But I'm sure that will pass as we get used to being together.

She's coming over Saturday to watch some movies and hang out. I hope Dad doesn't embarrass me. He has a bad habit of walking around in his underwear and farting. But I'm sure Mom will prep him.

The power went out again today. This time for four hours! It wasn't just the main electricity coming from the power plants either. Cars, watches, phones, and everything else flickered on and off during the four hours like they wanted to go dead too.

There's been little "flickers" throughout the month. They only last a couple seconds, but it's enough that we have to reset our clocks every time and turn our phones and such back on.

It’s getting annoying and no one knows why. There are rumors of solar flares, and passing meteors, but no solid answers.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 97

Date: March 9

Day: Wednesday

Weather: Cold but sunny

Training: 57 minutes Rose Lake trail (162 average heart rate)

I had an incident with another student today. We were in World History discussing the migration of the paleo Indians across Michigan, when I was asked my opinion about why I felt certain people become leaders and others don't.

I gave my opinion that good leaders come from within the group and rise through the ranks acquiring experience as they move up the hierarchy of the tribe. Not bad I thought.

Another student named Donald argued that good leaders are just naturally good and experience has nothing to do with it. Donald contradicts me by saying that only an idiot would say something like that. I wasn't expecting an attack like that and didn't know how to react. So rather attack him back, I calmly explained my reasoning. I said experience and good character would prevail over Charisma.

Thankfully, others agreed with me, but some agreed with Donald.

It felt good when others agreed with me. But it still stunned me to be called an idiot in front of everyone. My teacher didn't say a word to him! Isn't class supposed to be a place to express your opinion without being ridiculed?

I would never admit this to anyone, but it made me feel little and weak. But on the other side, I look at it as Donald should be embarrassed and not me. He's the one who did wrong. I just gave my opinion. But it still makes me wonder if I should have stuck up for myself.

He did it in front of Hailey too. And now I'm a little embarrassed to go near her.....Or hopefully she thinks I handled it in a mature way and Donald is nothing but a big jerk.

Oh well, I only need worry about my actions and not others.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 107

Date: April 6

Day: Wednesday

Weather: Cool and sunny

Training: 45 minutes Rose Lake trail Mountain Bike Ride (157 average heart rate)

Weird thing happened today (other than the flickering that keeps resetting my phone!); I was mountain biking on Rose Lake Trail when I came across some teenagers (two boys and a girl). They looked terrified and were running down the trail like they were running from someone or something. The one boy jumped out in front of me and stopped me.

He looked panicky and said a crazy guy was yelling and screaming and had chased them into the woods. He went on to say the guy was carrying a burlap sack with something in it. I could tell by the expression on their faces that they were seriously scared.

My dad always taught me to help people when I can. Even though it messed up my training for the day, I walked them out of the woods to their car.

It was a good mile and a half I had to walk with them pushing my bike. Good thing I know the woods like my backyard. It felt good to help and they really appreciated it.

They're high-schoolers and it felt kind of cool to be helping someone older than me. Maybe I'll run into them sometime and they will remember me.

I don't know why, but I chose to go back into the woods and finish my training for the day. I've never been one to quit and take short cuts. I wasn't going to let some crazy guy stop me today.

It also added a bit of adventure to my normally uneventful mountain bike training. Knowing there was someone in the woods with potential to be nuts made me bike a little harder and take the corners and hills a little faster.

I never did see him. I wonder who he was. Hailey joked that maybe he just needs a running partner and I should volunteer. She cracks me up.

Tyler’s Journal Entry: 112

Date: April 26

Day: Monday

Weather: Hot and sunny

Training: Rest Day

I raced last Saturday in the IRON WOLF ADVENTURE RACE and took first in the two person male division and third overall (I raced with my dad as a team).

This was an adventure race that lasted six hours. An adventure race involves trekking in the woods, kayaking, and mountain biking, while finding checkpoints located on a map.