wonders of tri

I'm realizing that triathlon is an amazing sport.

With 3 disciplines, it's amazing how they all affect each other! Seems that we each have our favorite, a weakness, a strength. I love it! We're all vulnerable at some point, and confident at another.

In our group, I've seen swimmers that can swim till they're told to stop, constant laps, but are weaker on the bike.

I don't yet have my endurance in the water, but can swim faster than others in short bursts, feel strong on the bike, but running is my struggle, my weakness.

Others run fast and strong, but are weak in the water. Keep in mind, these are all relative, we're all new, and learning. If I was in a regular field of triathletes, I'd be slow in all 3!!

With a group of over 40 people, it's outstanding to see how different we all really are. During a discussion last night after our ride, we commented on how no one really had the complete package -- no one really stands out as being good at everything. While this is an individual sport, the support and encouragement you get from those around you, giving you that extra push, when all you're trying to do is keep up with someone stronger than you, is unbeatable!

I initially joined this clinic in June to accomplish a few things. I wanted to learn how to change a tire, get more comfortable in the water, and make sure that my swim stroke wasn't totally horrible, making sure effort matched productivity. I also wanted the social aspect for a ride, having others to ride with, going longer distances without worrying about venturing too far alone, in the event that I'd have a mechanical issue and need help.

I recently found out that this group starts getting together in April, or when the weather is conducive to a ride, and continues after the triathlon clinic until snowfall or it's too cold. In a little over a month with this clinic, and less than a month to go before our goal triathlon, I've gotten everything out of it that I had hoped, and a lot more! The people are awesome, the sport is amazing, my confidence has boosted, I've learned a lot, and hell, I've even worn a wetsuit! Who woulda thought!

A few of us went out for a bite to eat after our ride last night, and I said something aloud that kinda shocked me, and may some of you as well. It's something that has been in my mind for a while now, but there's something about speaking the words, especially to others that make it more real.

One of the group members brought out a friend last night, a Boston marathoner, who was asking me questions about my running history, why running, and now why triathlon. As I was responding to his questions, I explained how I started running in May 2007 as something to do to shed a few pounds. As training continued, distances increased, my motivation and end goal was the elusive marathon. It was the dangling carrot. The pie in the sky.

Well, 2 years after I started running, marathon day came and went, and while I have a 'marathon story', it wasn't with the ending I had hoped, and at the end of that day I couldn't say that I 'became a marathoner'. I talked about my recovery, which lead me to triathlon, and how my goal has been a moving target.

Marathon, which at one point was my focus; what I thought I had to do (not because of pressure from anyone or anything, it just seemed like the natural progression and thought it was something I needed to validate myself as a runner) is less important to me now. If it happens, if my training allows me to build to that distance again without recurring injuries, then bonus. If not, running has certainly been a stepping stone to bigger and better things (for me) and opened my eyes to new challenges. Let's see where this goes! :)