You Must Tri

 Adrenaline is the equalizer. I have trained 6 weeks for the YMCA Indoor Triathlon. They teach you how to improve your swimming, cycling and running. You can't be taught how to deal with nerves.

I did my first triathlon this past Sunday. Got there an hour early, set up my items and paced excitedly until they said it was my turn to get in the water. Adrenaline kicked in- I jumped into the water (a first because I'm usually a wimp to the cold water). I did some bobs to get my whole body wet. Then it was time to go!

This tri was a little different than most. It was just 15 minutes in the water, 15 on a stationary bike and 15 on a treadmill. Just see how far you can go in that time. It's a great intro into the world of triathlons.

My breath was ragged and I just couldn't calm. I started out free stroke, mostly did breast stroke because it's my strongest, did a length side stroke, quite a few back stroke lengths. I was sure I only swam a 1/4 of what I was physically capable of doing but in the end was shocked to learn I actually swam 575 yards- 23 lengths of the pool. Not bad for someone who was majorly freaking out.

 It was on to a quick change into my sneakers and onto the stationary bike. The music was pumping and I was pedaling... fast. I felt best here. I wanted to push. I was doing my best to challenge my husband (behind me in the green shirt) and kept checking in (to make sure I was ahead of him hehe).

At one point I almost started to cry. I looked over at my son taking pictures of me and my two daughters who had poked their heads out from child care and they were rooting me on. I just felt so proud to show them that hard work pays off. I was doing it!

I got off the bike and was satisfied with 7.6 miles in 15 minutes.

One of my tri trainers told me that's about how fast he goes! I'm not so sure I'd go that fast on the roadways- but it's cool to know he thought I did really well!

Up to the treadmill. As soon as I started to run I was sure I was going to throw up. I spent the whole 15 minutes trying to convince myself that I wasn't going to. As much as I wanted to push the pace and try to get as close to 2 miles in 15 minutes as possible my stomach just wasn't letting me do it. I took it minute by minute. I would increase the pace but a wave of nausea would come over and I'd pull back and try to breathe. I tried not to think about that steak dinner from the night before and the fact that I should have eaten much lighter. I got through it with a measly 1.36 miles. I could have done better there. I have to keep reminding myself- this time last year I wouldn't have been able to run 5 minutes- let alone 15- I need to stop being so hard on myself.

My stomach was still unsettled for the rest of the day- so I really think it just was not my day to get a good run in.

Then I beat myself up for not being able to settle my stomach... as if I had control over it. But we waited around for the results just for fun. I was shocked to learn I came in first overall for the female cycling! I knew I felt good- and probably could have gone faster. There were just a handful of men faster than me too! Wow.

I am already signed up for a training class that will prepare me for a distance based triathlon. I have only one expectation for that race- to finish. This whole fitness thing has been so fun. I am discovering my athletic ability and it is rewarding to learn the harder you work for something the stronger you get.

I am so thankful to all my trainers. My beginning running and swimming coaches laid the ground work for me to believe in myself. My body pump and shred trainer is helping me discover my muscles and she inspires me with her perfect deary ear. My triathlon coaches are teaching me how to interweave swimming, cycling and running. It has taken a village for me to get here- and it feels so great.

Do you have a fitness goal? Why not make 2013 the year you make it happen?