"Oh Crap" Moments....

I started to type a response to Rachel's post but realized it was going to be WAAAAAAY too long. So, I'm posting.



Rachel! You're doing a tri!!!! I didn't know!!! How did I miss that. Anyway, listen. We sound a lot alike. There are many times I've thought "hey, I think I'll move to New York" or "hey, I don't think I like this job path anymore" or "hey, i'm going to do a triathlon" and then, after I've made that massive decision - and I'm on the new path - i think - holy crap.... how am i going to do this!!!



When I decided to sign up for the NYC tri, I didn't know how to swim, I didn't (still don't) have a bike and I have a tremendous fear of swimming in open water. I don't know how to switch gears on a bike. Rachel - I don't know a lot! But, it makes it even more fun to attempt, doesn't it?



The week after I signed up for the triathlon, I made the mistake of watching the Ironman on tv for motivation. All the blood left my face as I watched - with horror - the swim start. People swimming over other people. Black eyes, broken clavicles. I was really really afraid. And, then that guy I met who's done a couple Ironmans said that, for your first race, you really should stay at the back of your wave and on an edge. He also said the really competitive racers (who will swim over you and kick the crap out of you for a better time) - they are on the edge with the fastest current - so, for my race, the swim is in the Hudson River - the serious racers will be at the front on the right side - furthest from the shore.



I absolutely love the website for the NYC triathlon. It's typical New York-speak - decidedly not a coddling site at all (ie in the FAQ section - someone asked how they get from the bike to the run - which is about a mile away - the response? "jog it. remember? you're supposed to be an athlete?" i love it). They have a tremendous training program. Maybe you can pick and choose some stuff from it. I'm about half way through the base training program. In april, it picks up for the Spring training. The website says that you "can go from fritos to finisher" in four months. You've got three and you are already way fit. You are fine.



I feel like the most important thing is getting good gear (which I'm going to do in april). They say "chafe" is a triathlete's biggest issue. Between wetsuits etc etc. I'm going to eventually get a refurbished bike from this awesome shop called SBR (swim bike run). It's an amazing shop in NYC. I'm going to post their link for you in a second.



There are a lot of moments when I think - holy crap, who do you think you are!! But, then I'm kinda excited to respond, I'm a lady who carries who swim suit in her purse, in case I can squeeze in a practice before drinks tonight.... I like that.



So, tell me what race you are doing? What's the length? The NYC tri is olympic length. So, 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike ride and 6 mile run. I think the most important thing for me with the training so far is the "brick" workouts. My legs were like "you have got to be kidding me, lady" the first time I went immediately from a bike ride to a run. And, initially, it was only 30 min bike rides and 10 min runs. Now, they are 55 min bike rides and 35 min runs. And, it will go up.



Ok. So, I'm babbling. I'm excited!!! We are going to do this! Tell me when your race is! And, where! Ok. the websites:http://www.nyctri.com/site3.aspx and http://www.nyctri.com/site3.aspx