Swim.Bike.Run

Today's post was meant to talk about birthdays and aging gracefully.

But the words weren't flowing.

Usually, I have everything in order - the words, the mental pictures, and the feeling.

" Why can't I figure out which direction to take this post? " I asked, frustrated with myself.

I drank some tea, went for a run, meditated, and still NOTHING.

Then, as if my creativity had had enough of my drama, it gave me a hint.

Just three words - SWIM. BIKE. RUN.

I archived the original post. Promising to work on it later.

Today, another story wanted to be told - a story of people like us.

An unknowing seed

My first personal trainer was a young girl in her late 20s with a passion for all things fitness.

"My friend and I are going to do a triathlon this weekend," she shared during one of our sessions.

"What do you guys have to do?" I asked, attempting to talk and not pass out as she increased the speed on the treadmill.

" We have to swim in open water, ride a bike and then run to the finish line." she expanded matter-of-factly.

I wished them both luck. I knew they would rock it.

After all, these events were made for people like them - the ever-ready batteries that do not discharge.

The fit ones who swim, bike and run and then repeat all of it - again.

A change of heart

Time went by, and my lackluster performance at the gym continued.

And then the pandemic hit.

Forced to find activities outdoors, I started running. With the increasing miles came increasing confidence.

And an errant thought, "...maybe... just maybe... a triathlon?"

I found a buddy, and we made a foolproof plan for triathlon success - though one tiny detail had to be handled first.

We had to learn how to swim. ("Yikes!")

The swim

The desire to swim had visited me several times over the years. I talk more about it here.

With a triathlon training plan in place, the motivation to up my swim game was high.

Open water swimming is very different from pool swimming. You can't control the temperature or the water current, or the plants and animals that come your way.

My swim coach guided me through the basics. And after that, it was practice, practice, and more practice.

An unwavering focus

The training required discipline and an unwavering focus.

I ignored the voice that tempted me to snooze 5 AM alarms. I said no to weekend invitations from friends and family.

Instead, I ran, I biked, and I swam.

And finally, the time came..

The Lake Terramugus Super Sprint triathlon - a 200 yard swim, 5.5 mile bike ride, and a 1.7 mile run was a perfect fit for a beginner, like me.

As the organizers said 'GO', we dived into the water. My super-stretched nerves knew I had to get through the swim and the rest could be handled.

As I swam, there were moments of panic, but soon enough, I was running out of the lake, peeling my wetsuit off, and hopping on a bike.

The bike ride had a few challenging hills. People were scattered along the path with encouraging signs to keep us going.

They provided the much needed motivation to pedal the last couple of miles to the final event - the run.

Dropping my bike at the stand, I scrambled into my sneakers. And off I went.

I ran, and I ran, and then I ran some more. And didn't stop until I saw the finish line.

People like us

The moment I crossed the finish line, I looked for my family. My mom and sister were smiling wide, and my son excitedly shouted my name.

I zig-zagged towards them, trying not to collide with the other delighted participants and their families.

In the hugs and celebrations that followed, I felt months of pent-up emotions release - the hard runs, the early mornings, the cold swims.

And I allowed myself to celebrate.

After all, it isn't every day that people like us become people like them.

The ever-ready batteries that do not discharge.

The fit ones who swim, bike, and run and then repeat all of it - again.