Believe It

While traveling last week, I took some time to read Triathlons for Women by Sally Edwards. The book is very well written and an easy read, but I'm not sure it had the intended response from me. The intro to the book specifically states that the goal of the book is to get women motivated and excited about triathlons. I think I got scared. I'm not going to let it get to me, but I didn't feel excited about the triathlon when I put the book down. I really felt a bit mortified.

As hard as I've been training, and as much confidence I have in my ability to finish the event, I still have the huge fear of the unknown. I've talked about signing up for another triathlon five weeks after the one I'm signed up for now, which might sound just crazy coming from someone scared of the one race. My thought process really isn't that crazy though. I've been thinking that the first race will be harder because it will be foreign and new, not because I won't have trained enough and be ready for the swimming, biking, and running. If I were to do the second race, it would be the exact same course and I would have a better idea of what to expect and I think it would be a lot easier. Reading about what to wear and how to transition from one part to the next are the pieces that have me wondering what I've gotten myself into and I know those are the little things.

Yesterday, I swam 18 laps and took small breaks after each two full laps. It was hard, but I could do it. I've made huge progress in the swimming since I started swimming everyday (and had to rest after every length) six weeks ago. Yesterday, I also ran intervals with some at 6mph on the treadmill. My rest on the treadmill is jogging slowly instead of walking now, and that progress has been in the last four months. I'm amazed daily at the progress I have made and the abilities I'm cultivating. I'm also learning that I can do things that I didn't think were possible even six months ago. Most of all, I'm seeing the power of setting a goal and believing in myself. I've had plenty of people tell me I could do something like this, but I'm just now starting to believe it.

Sally Edwards may not have motivated me the way she thought she would, but I'm on my way to being a triathlete.