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Homicide trial set to start in 2013 Wilkes-Barre shooting death

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One dead after Pittston apartment shooting

<p>It&#8217;s official. I am a triathlete.</p><p>OK, so I haven&#8217;t actually completed a swim-bike-run test of endurance, and I still don&#8217;t know if I&#8217;m capable of it.</p><p>But as of 4:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon, I have finally put my money where my mouth is, or more accurately, my credit card company&#8217;s money where my mouth is. (George, can I expense this?)</p><p>I have officially registered for the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon.</p><p>There is no turning back now. After nine months of preparation, on Sept. 13 I will run into Harveys Lake with the rest of the field to begin my first triathlon, just six days shy of my 49th birthday.</p><p>And for the first time, I feel a little confidence that I may actually complete the .75-mile swim, 16-mile bike ride and 5.5K run.</p><p>Where does this new-found confidence come from, you ask.</p><p>Two Sundays ago, I actually got into Harveys Lake. I have always felt that I could complete the bike and run portions.</p><p>But the swim &#8230;</p><p>At about 8 a.m. on Aug. 2, Times Leader Sports Editor Alicia Johnson and I met a group of triathletes that meet each Sunday at the lake to swim. Certainly, neither Alicia nor I were going to remind anyone of Michael Phelps out there, but being in open water for the first time since I was youngster did remind me of a few things.</p><p>I know how to swim, I know how to tread water and I know of variety of strokes I can use when I get tired. (I also learned that I hate seaweed.)</p><p>Armed with that knowledge, I&#8217;m pretty sure I will be able to complete the swim.</p><p>How long will it take me to complete it? Well, that&#8217;s a completely different question. And will I have enough energy after completing the swim to finish the rest of the race? Only time will tell.</p><p>But at least now I&#8217;m registered, so at worst I will at least get a free t-shirt, right?</p><p>Actually, I have already got plenty from my quest to finish the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon.</p><p>I&#8217;m down about 35 pounds since January and in the best shape I&#8217;ve been in years. At 48 years old, I&#8217;ve discovered how much I enjoy competing in 5K runs, something I think I will be doing long after my triathlon quest is over.</p><p>Heck, I&#8217;ve even completed my first two 5-mile runs this year. It&#8217;s all been fun, and I&#8217;ve met a great group of people doing it all.</p><p>Now, if I can just finish the triathlon. I&#8217;m already registered and that&#8217;s got to be the hardest part, right? (George, about that expense report &#8230;)</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Soprano </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Soprano.jpeg-1-1-.jpg</photo0><caption0>Soprano </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Soprano</p><p>jsoprano@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Joe Soprano may be reached at 570-991-6393 or on Twitter @TLnews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Triathlon Tales: Ready or not, there is no turning back now