So.......
I made the decision last night that I would start a blog that chronicles my journey from just a runner to a triathlete. "Just a runner" is not meant to diminish the sport of running or what running has been for me throughout my life. Running is....in a word, amazing. I have been running since I was thirteen years old (with a few years off for work, pregnancy, parenting, life). I run to stay in shape, to stay healthy, to manage stress, to forget, to be happy, to reach that endorphin high when everything is right in my world - that "high" doesn't always happen, but when it does, I feel like I can run forever.
At 46 years of age, recently celebrating a birthday, and realizing the aches and pains of a middle-aged body are here to stay, I came to the conclusion that if a triathlon is ever going to happen for me, I had better get on it. NOW. I have been watching several friends and acquaintances accomplish this very goal recently, and to say it is inspiring is an understatement. I was in Madison, Wisconsin a couple of months ago to cheer on friends as they worked their way through 140.6 miles of sheer craziness - and that's all you can call it, really. A 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run - I mean, who does that? WHY would anyone do that??? Well, I can say that it was one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed. Of course, the elite athletes are amazing to watch, and they come across the finish line hours ahead of everyone else. But the heart and soul of an Ironman competition is the every-man and every-woman who pursues this dream, relentlessly. Who finds the time to train and put the miles in around work, family, life. That is what is truly inspiring. To put all your heart and soul, desire and determination, in to crossing that finish line in 17 hours. To battle the mental demons that tell you to stop, to keep pushing on when you have literally nothing left in the tank. That's what makes an Ironman, an Ironman.
First things first, however - I must learn how to swim.
A month ago, I felt comfortable floating on my back. That was about it - I have always had a little bit of "panic" whenever my face is in the water, and I could not tread water in the deep end of a pool. So I bit the bullet, and just started private swim lessons at the Riverfront Y in Des Moines with an absolutely fabulous swim coach. I can not believe how far I have progressed in just three hour-long lessons. I'm not swimming -yet - but I'm getting there. I would say that the biggest hindrance to my progress is staying relaxed and not tensing - when I can focus on the form and technique, everything falls into place. Just so much to remember about form and keeping everything moving the proper way at the same time! "Muscle memory" as my swim coach Scott always says - and it's true.
Now, time to get work done while the day is young.... and I'm looking out at the frozen Iowa tundra, and wondering how to get my run (16 miles) in today. Maybe I can switch days with a warmer day mid-week?? Otherwise it will be a treadmill run, and I despise treadmills.
"Live Life While You're Alive" -Dr. Deming
