When my significant other and I joined a triathlon team called TriLatino earlier this year, I hated running, was clumsy on my bike, and couldn't even put my face in the water. The first two challenges I figured I could deal with–the whole not swimming thing I realized was going to be a LOT harder.
I'll never love actually running, but I enjoy how I feel after. So that's what I really try to focus on when I'm out there hitting the pavement and putting in my miles. It's just how it's going to be.
Next up: I got a fancy bike with the thin tires known as a road bike. I had a lot of close calls falling, but I eventually managed to stay up and not look like a clown. Now, it's one of my favorite ways to exercise and my son loves biking so we can always do it together!
Swimming was really posed a huge problem. My fear of the water was paralyzing. I'd freak out and flail the second I left the edge of the swimming pool. I like to control situations and these were not my finest moments. It took months to get me to fully let go of a wall.
Then last night, Coach Jared dropped a bomb on me: "We're going to the deep end." As in the 13-foot end of the pool. Well, that put me on the verge of a panic attack. I had just finished learning how to breathe while kicking my legs on Monday. Did Jared miss that? Actually he didn't, he just had more faith in me than I had in myself. In the end, he made me feel safe and I survived to write this piece. My team mates cheering on the sidelines definitely helped too. I'm DEFINITELY super proud of myself.
I'm not ready to take on anything other than a pool yet, but tomorrow morning I will hit the road and ride a respectable 30 miles all the way out to Montauk, Long Island. My mom thinks I'm insane, but maybe she'll cut me some slack when she hears my significant other is doing the 73-mile version!
In the fall we're signed up for a duathlon and a half marathon. I can't wait to have my family and my new Tri-Latino family cheering for us. I guess the moral of the story is that even if something seems super impossible, it isn't. Who of us thought that we could ever possibly balance the needs of our kids with our homes, careers, lovers and friends and family? I mean, it may seem impossible, but in the end–hard work and determination really bring everything and anything within reach.
I'm loving the challenge, not to mention the outside benefits like a super fit body and the fact that I feel like I'm setting an amazing example for my son. What do you think? Would you ever train for a triathalon?
Image via Thinkstock
