sheer determination as I closed in on the finish line. yay!
A year ago today, I was in my very first race. It was a triathlon turned duathlon due to pool problems. A year ago, I got up early in the morning and ran (sort of) 1 mile, biked 6 miles and ran (sort of) 1 mile. It was a tough race because I’d never done anything like that before. If you would have told me a year before that that I would ever have been running, much less in a multisport competition, I would have looked at you like you were nuts. It wasn’t something I ever expected to do, until I decided to do it.
Deciding to become a triathlete was the very best decision I have ever made for myself. I’m not a great one. I’m not even a good one. I come in at the back of the pack. I can’t always run the full distance. Races make me nervous as hell.
But that first race hooked me. I had to walk in both of the running miles, primarily because I had been training on the treadmill and didn’t realize how different road running was. That first race exhausted and exhilarated me all in the same moment. It was hard and it was something I went into not knowing if I could finish. But I did cross that finish line, running. Last year, I completed two sprint triathlons too. The first one was crazy tough, the second one was better.
Like anything else, with practice and determination, this stuff gets easier. I have my first triathlon of the season scheduled for next Saturday. As you know, I screwed up my toe and haven’t done much training because I couldn’t get my sneakers on. I figured I’d bag this race and volunteer instead.
But this morning, at the time when I would have been done with my race last year, I went out for a walk, maybe a run. It depended on how my toe felt. Surprisingly, it felt fine. And my walk became my first run in two weeks. 3.2 miles. I walked a little bit, because even though my toe felt better, my stamina needs a little work again, but the run went far better than I’d hoped. With the walking, I managed an 11:52 pace.
In a year, I’ve gone from barely being able to run (my second mile in that first race was more walking than running) to being able to hold my own on the road. Not to mention, I really, really enjoy it now.
So I’m thinking, if I can get a couple of good workouts in this week, maybe I’ll tackle this race next weekend. I won’t be as trained as I’d hoped but I should be able to cross the finish line. And really, that’s all that counts.
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i agree! crossing the line is it! and you are doing just that over and over again…
kudos to you! and congrats one a year of racing! Thanks also for stopping by blog!
K.
HAPPY anniversary!
What a difference a year makes!!! I knew you had the TRI bug as soon as I read your race report last year!
It doesn’t matter WHEN you finish, it’s that you finish at all and that’s what you’re doing. I think it’s amazing. Keep training, keep at it.
I’m aiming for a sprint triathlon by July 2011. It’ll be a celebration for my 25th birthday (so quarter life triathlete!) and I hope to run a marathon sometimes this year. I love that you keep pushing forward and realize how far you’ve come. You couldn’t run that much last year but look at where you’re at now!
That’s a victory in and of itself!
“Not to mention, I really, really enjoy it now.
So I’m thinking……. I won’t be as trained as I’d hoped but I should be able to cross the finish line. And really, that’s all that counts.”
Wow! This sounds just like a gal who tackled her first half marathon just six weeks ago – you took the words right out of my mouth. AND…it was the best decision I ever made. Well, the blogging buddies seemed to make for me! Ha Ha! No matter, it was fun and I was glad to be there and run it.
You will, too, I’m sure! At the very least, you will have given it your best effort. Look how far you’ve come in ONE year, friend. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
Accidentally hit send… Oops. Wanted to add: I really look forward to getting to NY one of these days (sooner rather than later hopefully!), so we can meet up and run together – or at least do lunch and chat it up a bit!
That would be fantastic!
I’m so happy for you on your one-year training anniversary.
BIG HUGS from Orlando!
robin