A good spin

We're here. 2009. The first year I took up running I went from running around the block, to running a 5k, then 10k, then half marathon. While training for my half marathon I started to think about triathlon. The last time I had thought about triathlon I was a teenager. I had registered for a try-a-tri out of Kinsmen... don't even remember what event it was. I decided I would run a few times around the block, ride my bike and swim occasionally and I could finish a triathlon.

Confidence lacked, however, and when my grandmother died I used that as an excuse to give up the whole crazy idea.

Somehow, for some reason running re-ignited something in me. A passion, a desire to be fit, to challenge myself physically. To renew my pre-teen/teenaged love of sport, of competition.

And somehow I ended up getting into a crazy race called the Great White North, a local half ironman. I contemplated riding the bike portion on my mountain bike since I had no road bike. I'm sure outwardly I seemed rather nuts. A friend generously offered to lend me her road bike, but, I was lucky to find a used tri bike from a woman in my masters swim class for $300. It was too big but I put the seat as low as it would go and trained as much as I could on the roads with whoever was going out to ride.

I finished that race. I also crashed and burned emotionally after accomplishing so much in just over a year and not being able to persue my big dream of Ironman right away (or the next year).

It was much like the depression I experienced post-partum with both my children. Slow to show up but gigantic in its proportion.

Last fall the same friend who offered to lend me her bike decided to sign up for Great White North. In a split second I decided to see if there were still spots. I was registered. I was pretty f'in out of shape!! I trained my ass off all winter, swimming, spinning, running here and there (ok I really need to learn to love to run!). I bought a new bike, I met more and more triathletes, I got to watch a good friend train for Ironman Canada. 2008 was a great year for me. I dug deep and stayed balanced. I kicked some demons. I let some go... and I'm learning (what I think) is my biggest lesson in life so far, to let go and to live in the moment. To be present in my life.

So 2009 is here, and I welcome it, and the challenges and the joys that it will bring. My dream has already been fulfilled. I registered for IM. I'm on that freakin' list of people who are going to show up at the start line. Now for the journey :)