Here's a brave thing to admit: I've committed to doing a standard length triathlon on December 13th. THIS YEAR. Because I don't have enough to think about already.
A few years ago, before we even thought about having a family, I bravely said 'I'd like to do a standard length triathlon before getting pregnant'. I had already completed a few sprint triathlons, could push myself to do a 10k race if I had to and have always found the swimming part easy. As in, '3 hours straight swimming is so much FUN' easy.
Then we started on this family pathway and things, well, they got side tracked. Put on the back burner. Lost behind the couch. Exercise became just one more thing on the 'to-do' list, instead of something that I had always enjoyed and looked forward to.
My lovely friend, and now training partner, mentioned this triathlon on December 13th. And we talked about how we could do the spring distance in December, and then work our way up to the standard length for April 2010.
When we looked at the training plan for the sprint race our reaction was 'p-shaw, we already do that and more now, where's the challenge?'. We must have had a couple of drinks, because the next thing I know we've agreed on the standard length and now just have 12 weeks to get ready. TWELVE weeks.
This morning we did our first 'brick' workout as a bit of a benchmark for where we are now. We decided the sprint distance would be a good marker. 500m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. One hour and 20 minutes later I was seriously questioning our sanity. That was SLOW and HARD and....ugh the work that needs to be done.
December 13th means 1500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run.
Now that I'm on the couch having had a good breakfast and a little nap, the 'good' angel on my shoulder is whispering sweet nothings in my ear:
But you've done hard before.
You've done hard, and then LOVED it.
All good things take hard work, sacrifice, focus. You CAN do this.
Imagine the cake you'll be able to eat after all that training.
SHE HAD ME AT CAKE. Ok, not really, but nice side-benefit.
Twelve weeks it is.
It's just one of the things on the to-do list before Christmas. What's on yours before we see 2010?
