The Journey

While swimming on Saturday after a long night shift, I went to my local gym. Since the Chicago Triathlon is a month away, I knew I could not afford to miss any workouts so off I went.   I put on my swim clothing and underwater iPod and proceeded to swim a mile.   I was pleased.   On a hot and hazy Saturday, there were only a few people at the pool at the local Sport and Health. I quickly showered and proceeded to the exercise room where I continued the second part of my workout on the bike. As I proceed to leave, a woman stopped me. She said, "Are you the woman who was swimming a long time in the pool?"   I smiled and nodded, "Yes." She proceeded to speak about how she used to swim as a child, but doesn't swim any more. When she asked if I was on a swim team, I laughed.   I proceed to tell her that I did not started swim lessons until age 43. She was shocked. She thought I had been swimming my entire life, but I have not. I proceed

If you grew up watching PBS between 1968 and 2001 chances are you watched Mister Roger's Neighborhood. This show was viewed regularly after-school when I was a child. I can remember singing along " Who are the people in your neighborhood, the people that you meet each day." On Mister Roger's Neighborhood, the host, Fred Rogers, would greet the mailman, milkman, the conductor and other familiar faces in the neighborhood. Also during his show, he would speak of values such as kindness, gratitude and empathy. In real life, Fred Rogers had a degree in Divinity. He shared his values with millions of children for years until his show ended in 2001. So why am I referencing this show?  What does it have to do with multi-sports?  I thought of him today. See here I was in a local duathlon in Maryland. I saw many smiling faces. Some athletes I met at my last event last weekend while others I have known for years.  Everyone was smiling and greeting each other. In that moment

Diamond in the Rough Triathlon Sprint Triathlon~Reflections If you have been reading my blog or know me personally then you know I love music. Music is medicine for me. It soothes me, comforts me and energizes me. It is my favorite wonder drug. With that said, my reflection of my triathlon shall have many musical references. Get Up by Mary Mary Layin' low, rest and pause Sleeping long, slow motion Gonna do, shoulda, coulda Woulda done, excuses What are you afraid of? Don't you know what you're made of? One of God's greatest creations Take this invitation now Get up, 'cause you can't stop Get up, got a lot to do 24 hours, almost gone Get up, don't sit back Get up, if you wanna get there Clocks don't stop and time won't wait I put this song on as I traveled to Perryville State Park where Diamond In The Rough Triathlon was held today. This is a song I have listen to for the past 2 yrs whenever I had doubts about swimming.  I sa

Yesterday was my last open water swim before my first open water swim triathlon on July 9 th. Someone asked me, why do you swim so much? Your event is only 500 m. You know you can do this. I usually smile and say nothing. However, in my mind I have a totally different dialogue. See in my mind this has very little to do with the race distance, I have to prove it to myself that I can do the swim portion of the triathlon. I can't worry about proving it to my swim coaches, the race director, my friends or family. I have to prove it to me. Every time I get in the water I think, impress yourself. Prove it to you. Each time I get in the pool, lake or bay, it is a new experience. The water is never the same. I must prove it to myself that under any conditions, I can swim. Others may be convinced already, but I must convince myself. My training program is expectionally rigorous for a beginner Triathlete who will participate in Sprint and Olympic distances for now. Why is that?  It is bec