Thanks to a great sale at REI last weekend, I am the proud new owner of my first ever tri suit.
No, that is not me in the picture.
I've wanted a tri suit for some time but put off buying one....well....because...I'm not exactly built like the woman in the picture. Not even close.
I skipped out of work early today to run out at Lake Mead and take a quick dip in my wetsuit, since I haven't swum (swam?) in it since spring. I didn't figure there would be many folks at the lake today with it being a Thursday afternoon and just shy of 70 degrees, so I wore my new tri suit too. Seems I forgot the ITU Long Course World Championships are being held here this weekend.
The beach was filled with athletes from out of town that were taking an easy swim to stretch out and get ready for their event Saturday. I felt completely out of place and self conscious.
Why did I pick today to wear this???
Before and after my quick dip, i visited with a couple of other woman. They were from out of town. One helped squeeze me into my "whale suit" the other woman and I, both from northern Minnesota, discussed water and air temps for the weekend. As I headed off on my run in prep for my MUCH shorter race on November 12th, I wished them luck and fun racing this weekend. They in turn wished me well this weekend.
Me? Long Course World Championships? Ladies, look at me!
Okay, that's not exactly what I said..but as I took off on my run I realized these ladies didn't look at me and think, "she can't possibly be running this weekend" They respected me as a member of the triathlon community. One even asked why not?
Exactly. Why NOT!
Sometimes you can't see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others.” Ellen DeGeneres
