ballad by mike sampson

Up very early, before the alarm is ringin’

Got to go down and have a little bite to eat

Imagination sets in, pretty soon I’m singing

Doo doo doo lookin back through the door

Out at transition, a wondrous apparition

Look at all the happy creatures dancin’ before dawn

There’s a giant doin’ cartwheels, a statue wearin’ high heels

Checkin’ out the fine bikes and all the fancy wheels

Joel has done all the work and has a good race plan

Can he really do this, of course he can

Doo doo doo lookin back through the door

Energy, excitement, devotion

Soon the canon and great commotion

Doo doo doo stickin’ with the plan

Triathletes and elephants are playing on the sand

‘Bout to take a ride on the flying spoon

Doo doo doo

BOOM! ….. Chaos!!!

12 1/2 hours later - Ali’i Drive

Amid glow sticks, celebration and staggering bodies

Here comes Joel, crossing the finish line

Jumping and clicking his heels

Doo doo doo

While in the background I hear

Smash Mouth “Hey now, you’re an all-star, go play”

And Mike Reilly:

“JOEL SAMPSON, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”

So bother me tomorrow, today I’ll buy no sorrows

Doo doo doo lookin back through the door

Happy 50th Birthday Joel!

Love,

Dad

Credits to John Fogerty, Dr. Seuss, and memories of fly-fishing in Sun Valley where CCR was played many times over.

(By the way, we bought that tape for $1 on the beach at Rosarito after your first Triathlon. Do you remember? But that’s a story for another time.)

tribute by paul martin