Not too old, not too tired, to tri.
June 20, 2006
This weekend I went to the bridal shower of a friend, Nikki, whom I haven't seen in five years. Our friendship has existed solely over email, although we live in the same city. Once we realized that, we both felt somewhat pathetic. The first thing I noticed when I saw Nikki was her weight loss. She was trim, her muscles were toned. I asked what she'd been doing, and was surprised (and envious) when she replied "triathlons."
For the past two years, I've maintained that I want to compete in a triathlon before I'm 30. Since 28 is just next month (gasp!), I think I should more than just haphazardly researched triathlons, which has been my approach thus far, and even then the research is only done when I am feeling sporty, and I only feel sporty when I've exercised more than three days in a row. I should tell you now that I haven't felt sporty since January. This is probably the reason that I have gained ten pounds. That, and the fact that lately Albertsons has had Ben & Jerry's ice cream on sale 4/$10. Tell me: who can resist such temptations?
I've been intimidated by triathlons for this reason alone: I hate running. I can handle the swimming. I can handle the biking. I can even handle paddling or rollerblading or doing the crabwalk. But there is no part of me that wants to participate in OHSWEETMOTHERMARYTHEPAIN running. Especially long-distance running, and by "long-distance" I mean more than ten yards.
After swimming a few laps this weekend, I decided that a triathlon wouldn't be so difficult if I eased myself into it instead of starting out with an Olympic or Half-Ironman. Last night, still excited at the prospect of an event called "My First Tri" (clever name, no?), I spent an hour and a half driving in Dallas traffic, trying to find a kickboard for training. I went to three stores before I (not purposefully) found one that is truly hideous.
It was only $5 - does that make up for the tie-dye?
Yesterday, excited to start training with my new tie-dye kickboard, I decided to brave the pee-infested community swimming pool, hoping that our apartment complex has shocked it with enough chlorine to bleach my hair green. I'd much rather have off-color hair or skin melting off my body than someone's urine in my mouth regardless of how diluted it is by twenty-five thousand gallons of water.
I got to the pool, and stood at the gate feeling dismayed. I had forgotten it was summer. I imagined I would be alone in the pool, stroke after stroke, lap after lap, swimming in perfect solitude. It never occurred to me that where there is light and water, there are multitudes of children splashing and playing games. I stood and stared, trying to decide whether I should attempt to dodge them or come back later. I thought back to my childhood, my summers off of school, and about how I loved the water as much then as I do now. I decided to wait until dark and come back when I knew that children wouldn't be there.
And last night, when it was dark and I was about to head out the door, I realized that my swim goggles are tinted for sunlight. Tinted very dark. Tinted so that swimming with them at night would have been miserable. I resolved to get up early in the morning and swim a few laps before work, before the hustle and bustle of the day.
Except this morning I couldn't force myself out from under the warm covers. At this rate, I won't be competing in a triathlon until 2017.
Comments
AHAHAHA jes i love that you write in the same way that you talk and that I can imagine that this post was a phone conversation between us
And I must call "foul" that you would rather crab-walk a triathalon instead of running, if this is indeed true that I will create for you the first ever "Kpinion Tri" which will include crab-walking, biking on a big wheels, and swimming laps in an inflatable kiddie pool, all while wearing a brides maid dress of your choosing (see now doesn't that sound like fun)
Posted by: Katie | June 20, 2006 01:38 PM
Mmmm, yes, public pee pee pool. Always good to think of that after lunch ...
~Jef
Posted by: Thunderfish | June 20, 2006 01:40 PM
Totally Albertson's fault. I'd rather be swimming in ice cream.
Posted by: Lia | June 20, 2006 01:53 PM
I believe they do have triathlons where you roller blade instead of run.
Just a thought.
If it is going to take you that long... I will come down in 2017 and do a triathlon with you then. Sound good??
Posted by: ben | June 20, 2006 02:03 PM
That kickboard is awesome. Also, tinted goggles - how very Hollywood of you. Your story is too funny. Like you decide to do something and you get all gung-ho, and then it seems like the universe is conspiring against you.
I have lots of friends who have gotten into triathlons. They started out at varying degrees of athletic ability (one is a Marine and routinely runs marathons, so she does Ironman races; others started as more recreational exercisers and do mini-triathlons) but all have loved the sport. It's cool because it's like attention-deficit training; you never have to focus on just one event for too long, so you won't get bored!
(I'm sure you've heard of it, but a great option is Team in Training - they set up all the practice swims, bike rides and runs, so basically you just show up. Plus you can add a level of motivation by picking a race in a cool destination.)
Posted by: Lawyerish | June 20, 2006 02:59 PM
I WANTED to do the mini tri at the Tom Landry center in May, but I didn't realize it was in may until the end of April and then I didn't have any time to train. And it was so perfect too. NEXT year I say. We can do it together! It was a 5k run and a 10k bike and a 400m swim I think. All for a low, low price of $65. Which is cheap when it comes to tri's actually.
I wanted to do one before I turned 30, but now I guess I will just have to do one after I'm 30 since I've got 45 days and it ain't lookin' good for me.
Next May - it's you and me, honey bunch.
Posted by: Amstaff Mom | June 20, 2006 06:56 PM
I have always thought a tri would be fun! I just started running 2 1/2 weeks ago and I am only up to running 1 3/4 of a mile...PATHETIC!!! But Hey I am going to be 30 in 2 months and have 4 children does that count for anything?????????
Ugh... it is tough getting back into shape but I am already starting to feel better and can run a 9 min mile which isn't awesome but better than the 12 min mile I started at. Plus... LOVE THE KICK BOARD!!!!
Posted by: Sydney | June 21, 2006 07:37 AM
I went to Sports Authority to buy these awesome goggles I tried while I was at camp. But they're $30 so I'm going to wait. But I did see Speedo kickboards while I was there. No tie-dyed ones though.
Sydney - you kill me. I don't think I can do a 9 min. mile and we're the same age but I don't have 4 kids. 4 KIDS!!!
Posted by: AmStaff Mom | June 21, 2006 12:27 PM
My husband did his first triathlon (sprint) last fall, and he's got another one this weekend.
Our local rec center had a Triathlon challenge a few months ago - two weeks to complete a full-scale Ironman triathlon. We both entered. I finished the swimming and about 2/3 of the running and the biking, but it was really hard to fit in all that exercise while working and taking care of kids and everything else.
Keep at it! I was encouraged to give it a try when I saw all the other women competing who weren't hardbodies. If they can do it, so can we.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | June 22, 2006 09:41 AM
You crack me up! Maybe you can find someone to do it with you to push you (maybe even into the pool).
Posted by: my life is brilliant | June 22, 2006 10:05 AM
My sister and I are doing it together! We're very excited.
Has anyone else noticed that my goggles push my eyebrows up until I look like a Sharpei?
Posted by: jes | June 22, 2006 10:08 AM
Just found your blog, and I love it. I'm training for my first triathlon, too. Next October. LOL It'll take that long to get me in shape!
Posted by: shaunta | June 23, 2006 10:17 PM