not that anybody cares, but just for documentation sakes…

Sat. I did my second ride since the big ‘ol accident.  This time we started at the Queen Creek Wash behind Safeway.  It is a paved trail that goes about 2.5 miles.  We got to the end and my friends, Ben and Minda, asked how I did and if I was ready to keep going.  Well, let’s just say that I was still having some panic issues about slipping on the road so I was not comfortable going over 16 mph and I was not comfortable following closely.  So, I stayed on the Queen Creek Wash so I could go my comfortable speed.  I think Ben and Minda were ready to take it up a notch and I didn’t want to slow them down or alter their Sat. morning exercising!  I went up and down the wash and completed 20 miles.  It was kind of a boring ride but I think I needed it.  By the end, I felt very comfortable and was picking up speed and tried Power Rd.  Hopefully my next ride will be even better and I will let go of some fears!

Let’s have a moment for triathlons.  First, who would have ever thought that I would try a triathlon?  Life is weird.  In high school, I never did any sport-especially track.  I hated gym because I never wanted to run a mile.  Running was not my thing, actually I never even tried running-but I assumed it wasn’t my thing!  Before I had Zane, I started exercising a little heavier and doing some running-trying to lose weight-what else! When I was pregnant my sister invited me to run the Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon with her.  She somehow convinced me that I would have time to train and do it.  I had Zane in May 2006 and the 1/2 marathon was in January of 2007.  I started registering for all sorts of events trying to keep myself motivated to run.  Well, to make a long story long, I ran the 1/2 and was SO proud of myself.  It was a huge accomplishment for me.  My time was 2:13-not too shabby but definitely not getting me anywhere in the world of runners.  Well, I made the mistake of feeling excited about running and when I registered for the 1/2, I went ahead and registered for the FULL marathon (26.2 miles) in San Diego in June 2007.  Between the 1/2 and the full, I mentally didn’t want to think about going any further than 13.1 because that was hard enough.  I did the Ragnar Relay in March 2007 (Wickenburg to Phoenix) with a big group of friends and that was fun.  After that, I was back to running a few miles here and there.  The big day was coming and since it was going to be a family vacation for us and 3 other families, I decided not to worry, just go have fun and consider the run a day of exercising-I would just run as much as possible but then just end it when I had enough.  Well, I had enough early on (my knee was in so much pain by mile 14) but for some crazy reason I kept going and did complete it with a humiliating/embarrassing time (over 6 hours).  I wanted to quit more than I could ever explain but I also wanted to just finish more than I could understand. When I was done, I was in so much pain, I was crying, I was overwhelmed.  I finished it-YES!  But would I ever feel better?  It was dumb to ever think I could do 26.2 miles because my knee gave me problems when I was training for the 1/2 but I just wanted to try.  All I can say is that I have a check mark next to "run a marathon" on my life’s to-do list.  I don’t think I ever need to do that again.  I won’t say NEVER because, again, life is weird.  So, back to triathlon.  (oh, the only reason for that huge history above is so that my kids will someday believe me when I tell them what I have done in my life-if they care.  This story above will help jog my memory!  They might be able to picture me as something other than an old lady with gray hair that can hardly walk.  Oh, man-I don’t ever want to be there but I know we all get old, right?!)

This time I had some friends say that we all should do a triathlon so guess what, I registered.  I loved it!  It seemed to be the perfect mix for me-a little of everything.  I never thought I would be a "runner" (which by the way, I am NOT) but I definitely never thought I would be participating in a triathlon.  I love biking and swimming-my least favorite is the running.  So far, I have participated in 2 sprint triathlons and I hope to do an olympic distance this year.

Why is it that ideas/goals/dreams seem so overwhelming and unattainable but yet-they can be achieved?  I am beginning to realize how much power your THOUGHTS can have over actions.  The trick is learning to make that all work to your benefit

It is late, I am rambling… all I wanted to say is that WOW, I am now doing triathlons-who would have ever THUNK (don’t worry, I know that is not a word but it works well right here) it?  What is next?  Bring it on…