But will I win?

Shortly after I told my mom that I was nuts enough to do this triathlon she asked me a simple question:

Do you think you will win?

I chuckled at that and said, no I will not win. I "just" want to finish.

That was several weeks ago and the conversation still rings in my ears.

Just. Just finish. Just. just....just...

"Just" is a strange word. I try to avoid it and also notice when others use it. It seems to diminish some pretty big things.

No, I will not "win" the race by coming in first.

I "just" will:

• Swim 500m and then
• Bike 13 miles and then
• Run (and probably walk some) 4 miles
• After weighing over 400 pounds
• And never being athletic in my life
• And never been athletically competent before
• And being a couch potato for most of my 43 years
• And fitting in training between work and life
• And being able to only eat partial meals due to an altered anatomy
• And being anemic
• And being hypoglycemic

My goal is to cross the finish line and (hopefully) not be last. Can I do that?

Hell, yes! I guess that "just" might make me a winner after all.

The point is if I never tried, if I never got out there, if I never signed up, if I never trained, I would not just lose...I would fail. And I do not take failure well at all...

So for the Tri-wannabees, runners, swimmers, bikers, hikers, hell!, water polo players, whatevers like me, Carol, TriBob, anyone else in Team in Training, go out, give it your all, and just be winners.

Love and Sweat,
Dale

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Five Hundred Fifteen Fifteen

25 yards per length.
50 yards per lap.
10 laps.
500 yards.
Fifteen Minutes and fifteen seconds.

One hyperventilated yet very happy former fat dude!

Lap Elapsed Time Comments
1 1:09
2 2:30 Breathing every stroke
3 3:57 Slow start, stopped in middle
4 5:28 Slow start, stopped in middle
5 7:04 slowing down
6 8:45 paused
7 10:24
8 12:04
9 13:38
10 15:15

Many thanks to Linda for keeping track for me. The hardest problem was keeping from hyperventilating. Tried every right stroke and also every third stroke to breathe. Ever since my surgery, really rigorous breathing is difficult. Trying to play the sax again was disastrous...

I know that 15 minutes may seem slow but I am absolutely thrilled. Who would have ever thought I would swim 500 yards at one time and not be exhausted?

Cool!

Love and chlorine,
Dale

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Bike Ella Bike!

Well, after a lot of trials and one skinned knee, Ella finally learned how to ride her bike. We are very proud. Clara went out to ride with her and I dropped what I was doing and grabbed my comfort bike and chased after them. It was wonderful riding with my two girls. After a lot of fear, Ella now says it was fun. Of course the best thing was we got ICE CREAM to celebrate.

Clara loves her bike and I enjoy riding with her. Now we three can be the terror on wheels in White Rock, our "hood."

Changed a few tires today. Seems like I am always changing tires....

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Tri Bob

Okay, I am impressed. Tri Bob in New Jersey is kicking my butt. Running 10 miles and feeling fine. Going for a light 70 mile ride. Iron Man in training, no problemo.

But seriously, I found this guy's blog and liked it and will follow it. I have no desire to do an Iron Man but it will be fun following Tri Bob's progress. Go Bob, Go!

Tri Bob is at http://tribob.blogspot.com. Tell him Dale sent you.

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Biking, More Biking, Running, Knee Hurt, Greasing my Butt...

I brought my bike in to a local guy, The "Bike Doc." Actually, I brought in Clara's Schwinn. He talked me into tuning up my road bike and enhancing it a bit. He also fitted it to me, something I desperately needed. He was a little pricier than I wanted but the quality of work was worth it.

I rode for a short ride on Friday, just under 12 miles through Pajarito Acres here in White Rock, NM. After having my saddle raised and moved back and my handle bars tilted a bit (and padded) I had to admit that I was a lot more comfortable. Less cramped. So far so good.

Saturday it was up at 4:30 to get to ABQ on time to train with the Team in Training Triathlon Team. I ate some cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter (carbs and protein), had a juice box, a cliff bar. So my sugar was fine when I got there. We road for 20 miles out from ABQ to Corrales and back. Very pretty ride. Then we ran. I ran 3 miles. This was my first official "brick." I stayed hydrated and put down an energy gel. My right damned knee started to hurt near the end. I did not wear my Pratt Strap. Should have. Sigh....

All in all I did fine and was very happy. A little tired. About 40 minutes after the run my sugar was still 86 so that is good.

I found a wonderful sporting goods store (Sports Outdoors) in ABQ. I have driven past it a million times but never stopped in. They have a complete bike shop which was beautiful. Bought some basic cleaning and lubing supplies and some Chamois Butter....basically a mineral oil based lube that one spreads inside your bike shorts and on your butt (as my daughter would say, EWWWWW! Gross!) to help prevent road rash. So far this has not been a problem but SPRING IS HERE! and it is getting warmer.

Resting today (Sunday). Walked the big boys (dumb Lab and Husky) and might go for an easy ride this afternoon. Or take a nap. Or both...

Love and Sweat,
Dale

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