Challenge Yourself

Tri Something 'New'

Day 349

April 29, 2014 

Team Zybko

Yes, just what the doctor ordered. A new personal fitness goal, that's the ticket. While triathlons aren't new to me it has been quit a while. Almost a decade since I have done one by myself, the entire race without a growing baby in my belly. 

Tons of great memories have been made with family and friends in the pits of sandy transition areas, rough ocean swims and hills too steep for wobbly legs to pedal through. Good times for sure. Running past the finish line, clocking in under my best time, getting in better shape and receiving the free t-shirt were always my motivation. Today for this race it was no different. No family cheering along the way, no worries, I told them to stay settled and sleeping in. I set off before the sun was awake, just me, my thoughts and a favorite Bob Dylan CD I listen to when no ones is around. Happily backing out the haphazardly packed van from a front row parking spot before the day usually starts. A strong cup of coffee in hand, an over weighted mountain bike, a tight thrown together tri swim suit and my trusty worn in aqua Nikes laced up just right. Most importantly I carried with me the hopes of waking up a past love for the sport. I can do this.  

I came in second to last. With absolutely NO training other than playing catch at the Y pool and strolling through trails on my bike at local parks, it could have been way worse, one place worse that is. Thankfully for me, the 82 year old lady I was pacing needed to stop for a cup of cold water at mile 2 before the last huge hill of the run.  She muttered something about her hip replacement and grand kids, I smiled politely and walked  ran on past her.

 I signed up for the Sunday tri on Wednesday. Baby Daddy thought I was crazy yet he didn't say don't do it. No changing my mind when a wacky plan brews inside my over sized soccer mom head. He knows this all too well. I entered for a bench mark time not, to set a summer goal and to see what my body was capable of. Not to win a medal, to be written on with a broad sharpie marker or even the yummy brand name granola bars after turning in my numbered chip from my ankle.

Pretty sure I was the only one who ran out of gears while biking, going slow enough to click non blurry pictures with my iPhone along the route. Missing the first turn marker I ended up going the extra mile, actual two but it wasn't crowded and the view was beautiful on this sunny Sunday morning. 

Goals are an important part of life, striving to reach them make us better, stronger people. Motherly goals, wifey goals, academic goals, sibling goals, friend goals, career goals and spiritual goals. Don't neglect personal goals. You may not place in the top three or leave with a medal around your sweaty neck or maybe you will. At the very least you will receive a few hours of introspective alone time and new appreciation for real training.