Happy Holidays, Happy New Year!!
Since December everything been up and
down, more downs than up but I'm still here.
A weird characteristic about me is that
I'm always counting in my head, I count steps, while going up and
down stairs, count days, weeks, years, age. So is no surprise that
I'm counting weeks until race day!
I've been thinking lately about my
approach towards a 70.3 race. It will be longest race to complete in
5 years since started to do tris. So I remembered my first race, how
for years I wanted to finish a triathlon. It took 4 weeks to get
ready to my first race which was Sprint distance. I was already
running and swimming so I increase times I did it per week like
friends advice and also started taking spinning classes. My friend
Maha lend me her road bike then started biking at a park few times
per week as well.
In no time it was race day, June 5th,
2010. Bib number was 23, my favorite number!! Had all my gear ready,
nerves were kicking, family was cheering. While waiting for swim
wave someone behind me ask if there were gators in the
lake....apparently yes!! It is my turn to go to the water and I have
to say that its been one of my fastest 400 meters open water!!
Out of the water and ready for
transition and off to go to bike, I wanted to die!! two loops, 10
miles later I got out of the bike. This is South Florida, so was
soooo hot!! Put bike in rack, got my hat and race belt and off I go
to run...ouch! Now I know why they call it a brick! Legs were not
responding at all, was so hot, heart in my throat, got so frustrated
I started walking right away. My spinning trainer Meredith went to
see the race and she jumped right next to me to encourage to walk and
run. She never left my side until I saw the finish line. I sprint to
finish line and lift my arms in the air, I was a triathlete.
All the emotions of that first race
were amazing, I felt that I conquered, felt that was the hardest
thing in sport I have done ever!! And for sure was hooked with the
sport. Of course, that passion never stopped. 5 years later I'm
training for my first 70.3 which 4 to 5 times the distance I did in
that first race.
I'm ready? Not yet, still 13 weeks for
race number 13! But getting stronger mentally to complete my
workouts. 1 workout at a time, 1 day at a time.
“I
am building a fire, and everyday I train, I add more fuel. At just
the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm
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