I am now a Triathlete

March 22 2009

After all these years of just running and occasionally riding the bicycle, I decided because of leg injuries to work on swimming and cycling - especially swimming. Plus, I had an opportunity to help train some beginning Triathletes. I decided - Well if I am going to do all the work, I better try one out. To be honest over the years it was the swimming that hindered my triathlete ventures. Instead of looking like Michael Phelps in the pool I resemble a rock. You know - sink to the bottom. But I pushed through the lack of swimming fitness and was surprised how far I could swim after a while. I knew I could ride a bicycle so I just had to get on it and ride. Since I was injured the running would have to be by memory. No way to train for that during the recovery time. Actually it was a bit embarrassing that I had to ride Parker's scooter around on the first few running nights with the training group.

Well, over time the training started to mesh and I was feeling pretty confident so I decided to try a Triathlon in Corpus Christi last Saturday. The swimming was a bit overwhelming. It was a pool swim and I had to swim up and back through 6 lanes to make the 300 yard swim. But they sent us out one by one with 10 second intervals. I was afraid of bumping into someone. It slowed my time some but I managed to finish ok. The Bicycle ride was fine. I just have to get stronger so I can ride faster. The run was the easy part, so I took it easy so I wouldn't re-injure myself. I finished. So that makes me a triathlete. That was a Sprint Triathlon. My next one will be a quarter of an ironman triathlon. Frankly I am nervous. The interesting thing about a triathlon is that you give it all you got for each event recognizing that once you finish you have to switch to another event. So, while I was swimming and getting tired, I thought - I still have to ride and run. And as I pushed myself on the bike I was thinking. I have to run after this.

That was a bit weird for me. But, I think I liked it. So, I may keep doing this triathlon thing. Zai Jian.

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Comments

By Rhonda at 4/10/2009 08:08 PM

I'm glad you said that I had told you should do triathlons--for your health and pleasure. That way, I don't have to say "I told you so."

By Terence at 11/27/2009 02:01 AM

There once was a time when I would train and run 10K regularly. Seems that during those times of extreme training that I would not have time for the Lord's work. Funny but it was also at those times when I would sustain injuries. My last injury has taken me out of the game indefinately. Nevertheless, I now have more time for the Lord"s work.

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