This year at the 2026 St. Anthony's Triathlon, I had company at the start line—and at the finish, though not at the same time. Alden, who works in our office, decided to take on the swim, bike, and run alongside me. He is also a student at the University of Florida, which means he splits his time between keeping our practice running smoothly and keeping up with coursework in Gainesville. Somehow he still had the energy to train for a triathlon.
Saint Anthony's has been part of my life for decades, and I still love being out there with the community on race morning. Having Alden in the field made this year feel different in the best way. It is one thing to talk about staying active in the exam room; it is another to see someone from your own office live it.
I will be honest about the results: Alden beat me. Not by a nose, not by a friendly margin—by a lot. By the time I was shuffling toward the finish, Alden had already cooled down and was posing for our photo looking far too fresh. I told him I was proud of him. I also told him that next year I may prescribe him a slower pace—for medical reasons.
Congratulations, Alden, on a great race. And thank you for making this year's St. Anthony's one I will remember—mostly because you gave me plenty of time to reflect on it while you waited.
