It was the worst of times.
The holiday season obviously has me in a "Dickens'ish" mode. Tonight I watch my DVR of the world championships from Kona and contemplate my year in review. Forgive me for any tear stains on the page, but (sorry to all my fellow triathletes that complain this program focused too much on the pros or portrayed too much drama. I still get goosebumps and am inspired by the stories.
My year was not quite so dramatic or inspiring,
or maybe it was,
at least for me.
In April 2010, 60 some pounds overweight I stepped into a gym. In April 2011 at what I now only realize was a perfectly "acceptable" weight, I completed my first ever Sprint triathlon. Throughout the rest of the year I gained some weight back, struggled to find an appropriate training plan or coach, wrestled with self doubt, and questioned my personal motives. In spite of it all, I competed in 3 more sprint distances and in November I finished my first Olympic distance race.
Dead Last.
1 hour and 30 minutes behind the woman that won.
1 hour 10 minutes behind the woman that won my age group.
Their 2:40 vs my 4:16.
Funny thing is, that was, the
Best of Times.
I have a wall full of race bibs and finisher medals from 2011.
Everyone of them except one comes with a top 3 finish in my age group.
Even dead last, I was in 3rd place.
Most of my placing finishes are due to not many women in my age group, but you know what, there are so many women in my age group, afraid to tri. Afraid of what their friends and family might say, how they might react, afraid to come in last, afraid to start, afraid people will think less of them because they spend time in the sport and not somewhere else, afraid to fail, and strangely enough as I found this year, afraid to finish.
In April of 2012 I plan to complete my first 70.3.
2013 my first 140.6. I will be an Ironman.
Afraid to finish, afraid to start,
Either way,
Triathlon changes your life, your dreams.
