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| Post Tri- #112 |
A month has passed since I attempted my first ever triathlon. It still makes me cringe to think and speak about. With this link there is the possibility to look up my times- all three horrible ones, as well as my (CRAPY!) overall- but I warn you... it is real ugly so you may not want to look. Nonetheless, it was a great event so I'm linking with the possibility you might want to give it a whirl next summer. Despite what you may read below, it really was a fantastic experience and one I want to do again.
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| Final Lap |
Nearly everyone who knew I planned to run the tri has asked me about it. Just luck of the draw. Seems only natural to want to know how someone did, right? Trying to avoid those types of questions doesn't work when your dissatisfied about your performance. I have a new respect for Olympic athletes who cry when they fail and get angry at camera persons who record the whole meltdown. Not that I in anyway compare myself to Olympians, or getting angry with questions, but you get the picture.
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| Ola and I transitioning into the bike |
Instead of crying or getting angry about my performance, I decided to give up exercising all together. Not normally like me, but when frustration hits a certain level it's either fight or flight and I'm so not up for confrontation- even with myself . Running went out the window, early morning swims petered from two to none in a hurry, and then, giving back my borrowed bike brought me down to 0 mph, literally. Ideally, forgetting the event seemed easy until the dreaded "how was your tri" has come up.
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| Jesi and I running to the finish |
One morning at work, stuck on a stationary bike- I attempted my triathlon goal of 12.5 miles in under 40 minutes. Dripping in sweat and with 39 seconds to spare, I made it. Not an unattainable feat since I'd done it several times before out on the road (harder) as opposed to indoors. But since failing miserably on race day I was inspired to get my (now bigger) butt in gear and push myself again.
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| Ola and I... after |
After finishing the tri I felt accomplished knowing I fulfilled my goal to try it and finish, but I questioned why someone my size and ability would even participate in a triathlon (no matter the length), let alone complete it. Conceptually, the inner Jen is much more athletic and dare I say, skinny and agile- then the exterior. Similar to people feeling young despite their old age.
I know defeat or the challenge makes us stronger. I just had not anticipated how hard it would really be. Seven weeks of splitting my training morning and night was simply not good enough. A hard blow, as training was difficult for me and I had felt I had met my daily goals exceptionally well.
What can you do but get up and try again. Hence, the stationary bike... at work.
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| Tabbi and her "gulity pleasure". |
Going to the finish line of the Top of Utah Half only fueled my desire to get out of my funk. Watching Tabbi and other friends finish 13.1 miles inspired me to want to run again. Maybe even training for next years half. For now, I plan to get ready for this. Nice and easy. During fall. Down in the relatively flat island.
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| Digging that cute skirt Kris! |
You are so cute! I am proud of your tri-ing! I never realized what a slow swimmer I was until my first tri...and someone flew by me doing the breast stroke and kicked me in the chest.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I ALWAYS run in skirts! Can't see my inner thighs flap together.
Seriously Jenn I think that you should be proud of yourself regardless of if you are proud of your time. Somtimes I think that running, biking and working out in general is more of a MENTAL challenge than a PHYSICAL challenge. Seeing how you decided to a tri and actaully finished it is a great accomplishment. Honestly you are a tougher person than I because the thought of doing a tri scares me to death. Maybe one day...
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