Two Weeks and Counting...

Yep, two weeks from today my first triathlon will be history. I have moments of panic but for the most part what I am about to do hasn't fully hit me. I am trained and I believe I am ready. The logistics are still a nagging mystery to me but I am confident that with enough training it will all fall into place.

It is rather amusing to me that I have managed to make some friends while training. I am not the most social person. Meeting new people and making connections does not come naturally to me. I am more of a stand on the sidelines and watch the action kind of girl. Since I've managed to meet many other women doing the race, my anxiety level seems to be quelled. I don't feel like I'm the only one out there and I know that I will have friends to talk to before, during and after my race. That is gratifying and calming.

Everything really is falling into place. My swim times are consist although I need to time myself at the 800y one more time (at least). My run is in the best form it has been since 2002. I'm consistently running at least 4 miles, maxing out at 7 but feeling confident at 5+. My bike is my only weak spot right now. I haven't been on it much since I've gone back to work. This week it is my emphasis. Last week I was fortunate enough to get it in for a tune up and even got some new tires. It feels much, much faster. Not sure how that is going to translate at the race but I definitely feel better out there. Also, my clips have become a minimal issue. I still get that nagging doubt in the back of my mind but have been consistently been able to unclip when necessary.

Life is good. I'm feeling great. I just can't wait to get this race behind me and move on to bigger and better.

Try not. Do or do not. There is no try. ~Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back

Yes, this is actuallly going to happen

I can feel the momentum building toward my race on Oct. 10. My training is going well and I've started to purchase my tri gear. I've started to have anxiety dreams about being late, not finding my transition area and other such drama. I have also started to envision what it will be like that morning, cool, early and butterfly inducing. All that being said, I feel good.

I know I won't beat anyone in the race but I do know that I can finish it. My goal is to swim without stopping, bike without falling, and run without walking. If all goes well, I will set loftier goals next time around.

This morning I had the opportunity to volunteer at a water stop for a challenging 8-mile race. My husband, Jamie, ran the race like a champ, cramps and all. I hung out with a group of super supportive, kind, and generous women. I am so happy to have found the Tri-Girls. As we watched the super competitive lead runners come through out station, more than one woman pondered, "Why do we do this to ourselves, it doesn't look like fun." No, it doesn't look like fun. I think that maybe the fun isn't really in the act of doing but in the fact of having done it. There is a sense of personal satisfaction in know that you get a goal, a goal that would require committment and perseverence and following through.

When I cross that finish line on Oct. 10 less than 2 hours after jumping into that pool, there will not be words to describe how good I will feel. I know my body will hurt and my pride a little bruised but the satisfaction of knowing that I can be an athlete will be overwhelming. It already is.

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich