Training . . . Sort Of

I don't think I can blame peer pressure for doing this even if it was because my friend Eva encouraged me to participate with her - I can't think of one reason other than my ongoing pursuit of doing things that make me feel a wee bit uncomfortable - a movement "outside my box." The result is, in a weak moment, I signed up to do a mini-triathlon (Chelan Multisport Weekend)and the date is rapidly approaching. Maybe, just maybe, some sort of training regiment is in order. With that thought in mind I began last Friday by running three miles. Saturday I biked ten miles and ran three and today I took a spin class and then for the very first time in more than ten years of belonging to the same health club, used the pool and swam . . . to be honest, I'm sort of worn out right now.

If I had to name one area of the triathlon I'm most nervous about would be the swimming. I bought a one-piece bathing suit, more so for a confidence boost, a new pair of goggles and they both worked rather well in the pool today. Combining the crawl, breast stroke, back stroke, side stroke and a modified back-frog stroke (my own original swim stroke), I think I can make the 1/4 mile distance. If worse comes to worse I only have to clear the first buoy and then can walk the remaining distance on the shore. The cycling part is a no-brainer - 15 flat miles. The run is a 5K and again, I can walk/run that distance. My goal is to finish and I think that's reasonable.

When I signed up for it last March is sounded like July 19th was a life-time away. I was still riding high on my Viet Nam trip. But now that the date is less than three weeks away I'm beginning to wonder what the heck I was thinking about! I am keeping in mind that when I am an old lady, sitting in my rocking chair, this is just the sort of adventure I'll want to remember. Now I just have to convince my thighs that this is a good idea.