Ok, I've been asked and suggested to train and compete in a triathlon. You might not know how much I dislike running or most exercise - for that matter, but I've actually surprised myself in my interest to do it. It would certainly be a serious accomplishment and comes at a time in my life where I could use a good challenging goal. It IS my 30th year, afterall.
This September there is an area triathlon that consists of .3mi swimming, 12mi biking and 3mi running. Since I have some pretty extensive history with swimming, this is my least worrisome area of the competition. Having swam competitively on a high school swim team for 3 years, in addition to years of swim lessons and pool parties, I really don't feel I have to think about this. Although the swimming is in a lake (FREEZING) and I've heard it's a bit of a challenge compared to lap swimming, just not worried. Maybe this will be my downfall, seeing as it's the first leg of the race.
The bike part is semi-concerning because I don't have a bike. Not only do I not have a bike, but I haven't been on one in about 12 years. Yep, TWELVE. And the most entertaining part of this story is that the last time I DID get one one? I fell. Over. Hard. On gravel. In front of kids. Who laughed. So I certainly need some fine tuning.
Finally, the run. I'm feeling light-headed and nauseous already. I have zero endurance for running. My lungs feel like over-blown balloons and my chest feels like it's caving in on each passing lap. Believe it or not, I use a treadmill regularly, am not overweight and maintain a slight level of activity on a daily basis. As much as I think I would like to be able to run, it doesn't seem that it's for me. So I will be training hardest for this final portion of the race. Three miles seems like an eternity, but even if I run a 20min mile, I will finish.
Maybe the coolest part about this adventure aside from meeting such a daunting goal is that Husband and I are going to train and compete together. I may beat him in the swim portion, but I'll be watching him from the behind for the remainder of the race. That's ok. The idea of taking on this goal together and working towards it is encouraging. It's sharing a goal and working together. It's more than working out, and changing our eating habits.
And that alone is worth it.
I think you should totally do it and I know you will do GREAT.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that you were a swimmer and had been swimming for so many years.
That is something I have never mastered and am a bit afraid of going underwater. It was because of an incident when taking swimming lessons.