In response to Susi's brilliant, well-written, motivating and inspirational post, these are the reasons I am doing triathlons. But first, if I may, back to the beginning. About 12 years ago, I was asked to be on a team up at the Waskesiu triathlon. I was swimming with the university masters team. The gal who asked me was a very fast runner, I had remembered her from my university days as she was a bit of a star track athlete. I was flattered to be asked. I don't think I had heard of a triathlon before and when I got to the race, I was shocked at the people and the gear and the energy! And I could not believe that most of them were doing the ENTIRE thing by themselves! What is this? I must do this someday. I remember asking several times...how far do they bike? And then they run? How far, again?
In 2006, I had Luke in May. I was cleaning out my closets and drawers etc. (I think they call that "nesting" when you have a baby...) and I made a pile of Waskesiu triathlon t-shirts, as I had received one every year that I was on a team. I had 8 of them. What? Has it really been that long since I did that first relay and why have I not done a triathlon on my own yet? I could not come up with a satisfying answer. I remember going for a walk that summer and happened across a guy I had met only briefly before but I knew he had done the Ironman. He was looking hunky and tanned and fit and healthy and I made my mind up on the walk home...THAT'S IT!! I AM DOING THIS!! I was also creeping the local tri-website and one of the fellows had qualified for Hawaii. I was fascinated by this and followed the story day by day by day.
So, I signed up for swimming for the fall, bought my bike on a total whim, started running again. I could only run 6 minutes my first run out...and I peed my pants...childbirth does weird things to every part of your body...and I sobbed the entire walk home. I had a looooong way to go! But step by step, and day by day, I would run a little further and not have to walk as much. Swimming started and I went to the first Sunday swim in 2006 in my maternity bathing suit feeling like my nursing boobs were hanging out everywhere. I DID NOT fit into the group...still really don't but don't really care now. Biked a bit last summer and did the Waskesiu Tri all on my own last August. What a feeling!! I was SO proud and happy that entire day!! Now I am well on my way to doing this half-ironman in July.
Look how far I have come. I love that feeling of accomplishing something you set out to do. I also love the challenge. Not just the physical challenge but the mental game as well. I love feeling fit and strong. I love seeing my kids watching me on my bike or coming in from a run. This is teaching them so much. I have met some fantastic people. I thought I would see them more with all this training, but I am learning to be by myself. Nobody wants to do the early mornings so lots of this has been and is going to be on my own. But I am okay with this!! This is new for me!!
Looking forward to an awesome summer. Thanks for reading!!
5 comments:
that's awesome kelly - thank you for sharing! i love how we have all started this journey for a variety of reasons - yet we all continue on in similar quests.
i can't wait to be yours and jenna's cheerleader at GWN!!
Terrific story, thanks for sharing. It is stuff like that, that inspires me to get up in the morning or push through a tough moment while training and/or racing.
:) yes - look how far you've come!! It was a pleasrue to be with you on the day you did Frank Dunn ALL ALONE!!!
We can truly empower ourselves by shifting our perspectives and fixing a goal. Things that might have discouraged you before, are then seen as steppingstones -- not obstacles to your goal. You have come so far already!! What a journey!! :) :) :)
Post a Comment