If I achieve no other goals through the thinking about, training for, and completing a triathlon, it will have already been a success. I have found myself mourning losing my time running lately, but if I look at it another way, then I gain that I have already pushed myself way outside my comfort zone. What I mean is, I have logged a lot of time in the pool, something I never would have done otherwise. I am by no means comfortable in the water. Which is to say, I am confident in my ability to swim, but not confident that I am doing it "right" or that I will be setting any records doing it.
The onset of cold weather forced me off my bike....and into spin class! I was NERVOUS that first day walking in. My perception of people that take spin is that they are hard core crazy people. That isn't that far off. My class seems to have a good mix of experienced Ironman Triathletes and moms just trying to stay in shape. And the instructor is very nice and not in the least intimidating. Still, I didn't even know how to adjust my bike the first class, and thought I was going to die 12 minutes into a 60 minute class.
And lastly, I have started taking a strength-training class: TRX. Good lord. I always thought of myself as someone who is stronger than they look. I am not Hercules, but I can tote around 50 pounds worth of babies, a diaper bag, a toy, and snacks with no problem. And, for crying out loud, I gave birth to two kids...with no drugs. I'm tough! Anyway, this class made me feel like a baby deer. I can manage the leg exercises pretty well, and about half the ab stuff I feel good about, but the arms. Wow. I cannot do a single regular push up on the ground--I always do the girl kind from my knees. And in the class the exercise is a push up with your feet 18 inches off the ground in two straps. Some people don't attempt. I give it a try, at least. I have been incredibly sore after the class the past two weeks. The sorest I have ever been after anything, in fact. But the focus on strengthening my core and upper body, especially, I know will benefit me overall, in running, and especially in finishing a half iron distance triathlon strongly.
This all makes me excited to keep pushing the bounds of what is comfortable for me, and what I feel like is the edge of what I can do physically.
