For those who "TRI"

Even though I am not a triathlete I really enjoy following those that are. My husband started racing 8 years ago. When he first told me that he was going to try to do one I remember asking "you're going to do what?". Sure he was a strong biker and his run was okay but let's now factor in the swim. I am sure he was influenced by his friend Kim who had completed an Ironman. Well, he worked at it and he accomplished his goal. Kim is now training for her 3rd Ironman. Chief has been "training" with her by doing the long runs with her on the weekend. These guys get up at 4:30 in the morning to run 18 miles! I get crabby just thinking about it.

When we moved to this neighborhood, we pulled in the driveway with our bikes on the car. We had not met but one family and then down the street comes a woman on a road bike. She would turn out to be a triathlete. She had raced half-Ironman distances. We would become good friends with her and her husband. Eventually Chief and Karen would convince myself and Dennis to try a triathlon. Dennis learned to swim so he could do this! I thought we were all crazy!

My short career, my only triathlon was a sprint with the swim in a pool. I was so nervous. When I went to sign in they didn't have my reservation. THANK GOD! I told the lady not to worry, I would come back next year. My loving husband said she was going to fit me in and that was that, I was assigned a swim start. Actually, looking back the swim was the fun part. I remember it to be so rhythmic. I only breathe on the right so every time I took my breath (one the way down) I would see the crowd. Then came the bike. That was fun too because I think it was my strongest part. Finally, the run. The first part of the run wasn't too bad but being my first triathlon I didn't save anything. I just wanted to finish as fast as I could to be done! I ran and thought I was going to puke but I didn't. I finished the race. I even placed in my age division! It was hard and it felt good to be done.

Through the years I have met other triathletes. One of the toughest people I know is MJ. She truly has passion and commitment for this sport. I met Jennifer Garrision last year through Team LunaChix and I was so amazed at how humble she was. She is an Olympic distance USA National champion and she is amazing. I follow Bree Wee and Jennifer Harrison through their blogs. All of these people are an inspiration to so many others.

I don't know if I will do another triathlon. Maybe someday. For now, I will keep watching and cheering on those that do. As for Chief, he is still racing. He likes the sprint distances and maybe someday with some swim training we will see him do a half Ironman distance! I think Kim can talk him into it.