In January we started training for our first ever TRIATHLON! At that point I didn't know how to float, swim any stroke, and was petrified of going under water at all. But Sara and I both read the article in Self Magazine -- 12 weeks to triathlon -- and thought, if Hoda and Natalie from the Today Show did it, so can we!!! That was our thinking ... and to our surprise (mine more than Sara's) we are doing quite well with the training.
Training has brought out so many positive things for me - discipline, commitment, strength, structure, confidence, and pride. It has brought back my athletic side ... which I missed so much since starting a family. And honestly, Rob has enjoyed seeing this side of me too -- it was really one of the first things he adored about me when we met in 1996 -- I was a basketball player :) So this training has rekindled a sweet spot for both of us.
I am proud of the dedication Sara and I have given to our training -- heck I only took 9 days off in late January when I got Pneumonia! We have pushed our limits along the way -- like running in pouring rain and praying we wouldn't be struck by lightening. We have run in the snow, rain, dark, and 90 degree humid yuckiness -- whatever it takes to stay on course. We swim 2 nights a week and do doubles 2-3 days a week, we make our husbands bike up treacherous hills and then run with us after and then sometimes ask them if they want to "Shred" (that is a great great video by Jillian Michaels that Michelle introduced me too and it has been an awesome addition to our training regime -- thanks Mich!!!). Most of the time they laugh at us. I have asked Rob many times if he wants to sign up for a coed triathlon -- he looks at me sweetly, "no babe, I don't like to swim, bike or run -- but you have fun!" We've stayed committed to our training even through birthday party season -- yes we have ducked out for a long run and rejoined our kids birthday parties because sometimes that is what it takes to squeeze in training. But I think that doesn't make us insane it makes us strong. Our kids all know we are training, on Thursday mornings when I get Julia up from her crib she looks at me sweetly and says "Mommy all done swimming? Sara all done swimming?" I respond, "Yes sweetie" and Julia smiles and says "Good job".
I am proud to show our children what it means to commit to a goal, to work at that goal, and the fact that it is helping us stay physically fit is just an added bonus :)
So with all of this training, I want to admit that I still have some real anxiety in anticipation for race day. When I see pictures or read about the swimming component I get totally freaked. I have had a few nightmares about drowning ... but I am now feeling confident that I can do my own rescue strokes and get my breathing back under control even if I suck in a ton of water.
With race day just 6 weeks away, I wanted to reflect on the journey we have taken so far and share some of the wonderful things that have come out of our training. I would highly recommend and encourage anyone to think about training for a triathlon, it is truly powerful to feel your body be strong enough to Swim+Bike+Run.
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