Blessing in a really long, painful disguise

i felt it was fitting since I'm in the process of changing up my training, trying new things, and leaving my comfort zone on so many levels (more on that later), that it was time for this blog to get a bit of a facelift! Please let me know if any weird things happen when accessing this site.

Yesterday morning began what I later realized was day 1 of triathlon training! I arrived at the running store a few minutes early and took a seat on one of the benches. Being a people watcher, I tried to scope out if I felt like I had made the right decision to be there, and within 3 minutes of the instructors talking, I got a chill. I just knew it was going to be awesome.

There was one thing that one of the clinic instructors mentioned which I really hadn't thought about. Friendships are often lasting from running clinics, you learn a lot about people you run with; triathlon clinics are no different, but on a whole new level -- we'll see a whole lot more of each other's skin, we'll be in swim suits together, and will talking about chaffing of our most intimate parts. Damn, talk about being way outside of my comfort zone!

First clinic discussion/demo was changing a tire, I already got my money's worth since that was one of the biggest things I had wanted to learn, now it's just time to put it into practice at home.

This morning was our first group ride. Like a kid on the night before Christmas, I couldn't wait! I was up way before my alarm this morning, so I just got out of bed so as not to disrupt Sleeping Beauty Jay. I was one of the first in the parking lot where we were meeting, which turned out to be a good thing, as there were no spots left by the time everyone arrived. So far, there are about 41 people in the clinic!! Huge group, but so far everyone seems amazing.

To tell you I was nervous about the ride would be an understatement, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up, worried about staying behind and in front of other riders and making sure we each have our space, and hoped I wouldn't have to change my tire so soon after being shown how, without time to practice first.

I wish I could call you all on the phone or speak to you all in person so you can hear the excitement in my voice and see how truly excited I am -- trying to put my emotion into words won't do it justice.

We set out, and I found myself in the first one-third of the pack but going easy as I had no idea of the route or what to expect. One of the clinic instructors was soon next to me and said "nice cadence!" -- was good to hear. He slid back the line, and a few minutes later, came back up, and once again said "Have I told you yet that you have a really great cadence... why don't you go up and play with the fast kids... that's where you belong!" How cool is that!! That's exactly what I did, behind a few of the leaders.

Before I knew it, we had ridden 19k and we were back at the cars. One of the leaders was telling those that would not be continuing for another 10k ride to get in a quick run to get used to the feeling of running after a ride. Of course I can't do this yet, but was so happy when he said a group would continue for another ride. Without being able to run, seat time on the bike will be good for me... so I was in!

There ended up being about 7 of us that went out for another ride soon after, I was already feeling a little more confident and comfortable, especially with bigger gaps between everyone and fewer riders. Soon it was either myself or another girl leading the group; the boys were poking fun at us that the girls were in the need for speed today -- I let him know that I'll take full advantage of speed on the bike, cuz I sure don't have it when I run! LOL

We stopped with about 3k to go to wait for the group, and the other girl who had been in front off and on all of a sudden said, "Take us home Mel" Like a deer caught in headlights, I said "huh?!?", they all laughed at me, and then we were off, me in the front.

We had done the exact same route, so we ended up doing that 19k route twice, and I loved every second of it. Once the others arrived, one of the clinic instructors rushed over to me, gave me a high-five, said she was so proud of all of us, then gave me a hug. Coffee afterwards with them was just as fun. So in a nutshell, I have no doubt that this will be an unforgettable summer, with some serious consideration about future goals.

I think the severity of my injury has really opened my eyes -- I don't think my body appreciates running only... if I had only been slightly injured, I'd probably go back to doing exactly what I was before. I think I now see that the chance of being hooked on triathlons is highly probable.

Optional ride with the instructors on Tuesday, first group swim on Wednesday -- (not sure how I'm feeling about that first swim yet and being in a bathing suit in front of people that I like so far, but only know slightly). lol