It's here...Swim, Bike, Run!

Exercising has always been just part of my life, an automatic in my everyday routine, to stay healthy, youthful and agile. But, this triathlon stuff is much different, it takes a lot of planning and time, for sure! I have a couple friends who do triathlons on a regular basis. The amount of training that goes into just one has altered my daily routine and completely changed my life. If I took Roller Derby practice and CrossFit out of the equation, maybe it would have been more reasonable. But, I wasn't willing to do that. I sure do admire those that commit to Tri's more than once in their lives. I have dedicated the last seven months to being comfortable swimming, lasting on a bike and having something left for the running portion. Really, my true goal is to just finish without drowning, getting a flat tire or falling on my face in my running shoes. I'm looking at it like this...it's going to be as if I'm doing a three part CrossFit WOD. But, unfortunately, there's no rest in between. Whatever happens, I've always wanted to do a triathlon and completing it is the most important thing. I'll swim, I'll bike and I'll run, finishing with the knowledge I set a goal, dedicated 1/2 a year in preparation and made it happen. Just being in a pool two or three times a week for this long has been an accomplishment. Another lesson for all of us;

if we put the time, energy and work into getting something done and focusing on it, we CAN do anything. But, it takes some serious effort and commitment. I did learn one big thing, no a HUGE thing, I enjoy team sports way more. There's something fulfilling about having teammates, rooting for them, encouraging them and energizing them. For this triathlon it was just me, constantly pushing myself through each workout, always alone in my thoughts and training. I guess I needed some time to myself. Now, after this weekend let's put together a team for a Mud Run?

A triathlon...my first

It might have been the kickboxing, but it definitely was happening once I started playing Roller Derby. My shoulder mobility declined at a rapid pace. A torn labrum years ago, a broken collarbone in college and a broken clavicle from derby didn't help the situation. I found CrossFit in spring last year and began working with Chad Franco @ CrossFit Five Cities. Pretty quickly he noticed I couldn't straighten my arms over my head. Instead of pushing me through, he modified my workouts and sent me to an awesome physical therapist, Jeff Miller in Grover Beach, CA. Jeff mentioned getting into a pool would really help me get back my mobility and able to use my shoulders for normal everyday tasks. Swimming? Yuck! I hadn't done much but frolic in a pool in years and I mean years, at least 20. I resisted, but I did it. I got into the pool and detested it at first. It was a few months ago when I began to notice the differences in my body, my core especially. Between CrossFit and getting in the pool, things were improving! I decided, if I'm going to be doing this swim therapy, I might as well get the Triathlon off of my bucket list. That's where it all began, January 2014 in the pools at Pismo Beach Athletic Club and Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa. Five months later that same physical therapist showed up at my house one day and gifted me an awesome triathlon bike. It took me a good three weeks before I actually got on the bike. I just looked at it for a while sitting in my living room. I was TOTALLY intimidated, not just by being on a road bike for the first time in 25 years. But, even worse, was being on the roads on that bike. I don't know what bikers did before bike lanes. And even with bike lanes it's scary as can be out there. I've been on that bike now consistently for four weeks, I actually know how to use the gears now. Riding from Shell Beach to Avila in one gear, wasn't much fun! But then, drum roll please, I got my first flat tire, that sucked! Now, the swim is easy, I'm slow, but I can now go without stopping for a good amount of time. The bike is more comfortable too. But, the deep pile fear I'm sitting in right now: will I get a flat while I'm out there on the road, during my race? And let's be honest, this girl AIN'T changing a flat tire. So, I'm putting it out there now universe, god, higher power, angels, fairies, please, NO FLAT TIRE on my first and only triathlon of my life. I know you're busy with real issues on the planet, but is that too much to ask?