Yesterday I went swimming. It was a failure. The water was rough, I was not having fun. It sucked. I swam three laps and stopped after each one. It was a total of 0.24 miles. I took me about 20 minutes. I left feeling very discouraged. I left thinking that I can make it through the mini tri on the 13th but there is no way that I can make it through 6 laps for the Aug. race. I stopped by my mom's on the way to class. She made me a yummy bacon breakfast while I looked up swim lessons. The Y near me does have adult swim lessons.
Today, I went back for round two. I told myself that I was going to do two laps without stopping if the water was calm. I got there and it was calm. I jumped in and the frantic turtle* was off. I tried to stay calm and just go. I swam three laps without stopping. When I go for a bike ride I go for over an hour, when I run I run longer than 30 minutes. Maybe I just need to go. It will take me longer than 20. I told myself that I have to have faith that I can do this. My body will go. I got out and was sitting on the dock I thought that I needed to keep going. I would get back in and do 3 or 4 more laps, which is the Aug distance and if I needed to stop I would stop. I got back in and did four more laps without stopping. The Aug distance is .46 miles (750meters). I went 0.56 (901meters). The frantic turtle may not be pretty or fast but just might get the job done. I showered off because the water was REALLY muddy after all this rain.
On my way home I was thinking that my tri shorts came in the mail yesterday and I haven't been on my bike in a while... I got home changed and headed out. I started out and it didn't feel good. I was struggling. I started to question if I should have tried to bike after drastically increasing my swimming. I just said," Katie your body will do it. These first few miles might not feel good, but your body will do it". It was kind of a revelation. Not every mile will feel good but my body will do it. I figured if it still felt bad after the first two miles I could turn around. I rode 18.1 miles. The Aug distance is 17.7. I got home and ate breakfast and was itchin' to go for a run.
I changed again and went to the gym at school, it was raining again, and ran 4.1 miles. The Aug distance is 3.1. I completed my first tri today.
Tonight we are going to a Fourth of July party. Much of my brother's family will be there. I'm looking forward to it. I plan to eat oysters and go to bed early.
*My dad joined me for a swim one day and later told my mom that I looked like a frantic baby turtle learning to swim. Real encouraging. He also told her that he wasn't sure if I could make it. Well, now i think I just might!
You.Are.AMAZING.
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