Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I'M BA-AACK! -sung in an eery voice like the little girl in Poltergeist

I have been on an extended sabbatical from blogging.

But not completely apart. I have peeked in on many of you over the past month and seen babies born, holiday travel, holiday sickness, freezing weather, loved ones pass on, new years resolutions made and recipes shared. I love reading blogs of friends I know in real life and friends I have made thanks to Al Gore and "his" invention of the internet.

But, I have not taken a sabbatical from LIFE. Oh yes. Life continues, with its joys and trials, fun and ... well the other stuff. And I'm back.

And, I want to share with you probably the craziest goal I have ever made and am determined to accomplish.

I am......












Wait for it.












Racing in a...











Wait for it.













TRIATHLON.

When I first started thinking about this. I thought, "I can do that. it's a whole year away. I can ride a bike no problem and the run is only 5K, I can train for that... it's a whole year away."

My mind kept reminding me that Tri means three. And that means there is a 3rd leg that actually happens FIRST.... SWIMMING. Notice the caps? My mind was screaming at me... "What do you think you're doing? You CAN'T swim!" I continued to ignore that part and started running and continued cycling.

Now at 7 months and 1 day away from the desired triathlon I am "swimming" or at least I'm going to the High School Pool twice a week, wearing goggles and getting wet.

Mike gave me some really nice goggles for Christmas... I wear them with pride.

My friend and my daughter both introduced me to Zoomers. Flippers you wear on your feet. My friend said, "They help you have better kicking form." My daughter (Beaner) told me, "They make you go fast!"

They were both right. I have now learned how to kick from the hip not the knees and I was going FAST. Zooming through the pool with my cool goggles and... a kick board.

After watching some videos on You Tube about breathing and form I decided that while swimming today I would not use the zoomers and add my arms and breathing.

I swam one lap using my arms and trying to breathe before I went and found a kick board and spent the next 30 minutes practicing proper kicking technique without flippers.

I learned three very important things today.

1. Swimming is hard.

2. 7 months and 1 day are not very long.

3. I think I'll find myself a swim coach.

I almost forgot the
~Vanilla~
You can do hard things.
~from Susan W. Tanner

10 comments:

Mike J said...

Thought from Mike - You're tougher than you think you are. You forgot to add that you also ride on days that you swim. See you are tough.

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

Yes you CAN DO HARD THINGS, which reminds me I still need to make that saying in vinyl for you don't I? Or did I do it already. I can't remember. I am proud of you. Maybe next year I can join you in another athletic feat.

everydayMOM said...

oh man... i'm so with you on swimming... i did a couple of team triathlons where i did the biking. I also could imagine running a 5 K, but the swimming is scary! I know you can do it though! Wow! you will be in amazing shape doing all of that swimming. You might not even need to train on the biking and running if you are swimming so much!

glad you are back!

The Mothership said...

you're making progress! That is great. My fitness goal for this year is to work out 2 or 3 times a week. Not including walking up/down the stairs 3,876 times, or chasing my boys around. The hard part is that I would rather JUST be chasing them around.

You can do it! Hopefully I can come cheer you all on!

JoLyn said...

I am so very very impressed! I wish that I would do that with you. But I'm pretty sure I won't. I could do the bike, but you know what happens to me when I run, and I have to wear NOSE PLUGS!!!! Not to mention the inability to swim the length of the pool...

But you make me want to try. ;/

Joy For Your Journey said...

I am so glad you are back to blogging!! You have been missed. Good luck with your race!! I have several friends who have done that as well as my brother in law and they all thought it was extremely hard, but one of the most rewarding things they have ever done. You go girl!!!

Kim said...

Ok, I SO want to do this with you guys. I'm just afraid to sign up. I hate bikes! And I don't have a helmet. Or a bike. Well, I have a really old crappy one from when I was younger. Will you take me to swim with you? As long as you don't laugh at my cellulite. Encourage me please! But, I am running now- trying. I'm going to do a 5k in a few months I think, just to push things along...

Adventures in MetroLand said...

I am a former long distance swimmer and summer league, there are a couple of drills that you can do that will help your swimming get better as a beginner. The the shark fin, the finger tip drag and the zipper pull. I can give you my email address if you want details on how to do as well as work outs.

Twisted Fencepost said...

I have no doubt that you CAN do this!
Work hard and have faith.
And Good luck!!!

Anonymous said...

This is my first time to comment. Jenny I know you can do it and you will do well. I had so much fun doing my two triathlons. Word of wisom - if it will be a pool swim you will have no problem. If it is a lake swim you might want to hire a boxing partner to work on you while you swim. ;-) Kidding...mostly. Keep going you are off to a great start!

Michael in Houston