Triathlon: a lesson in bravery

I've been interested in triathlon for a couple years now, but was always hesitant to actually start working on the three sports. I'm comfortable running and feel like, for the most part, I know what I'm doing. But biking and swimming? Those are foreign territory. And they are awkward. And they are scary.

I want to do a triathlon. I want to be a triathlete. And that means I have to go outside my comfort zone. I'm generally a pretty cautious person. I've spent a great part of my life being embarrassed (about anything and everything), and trying to avoid embarrassment. But with triathlon, I have to throw embarrassment out the window. I look ridiculous. I feel ridiculous. But it's okay. I trust it will get better.

Yesterday I biked forty miles. This was a big deal for me for two main reasons. One, it's the farthest I've ever biked. Two, I did it outside, which I think makes it the third time I've ridden my bike with these stupid clipless pedals. Clipless pedals are scary. I'm proud of my ride, but it was definitely not without incident and embarrassment.

First, one of my water-bottle holders lost a screw, and after a while the whole thing turned upside down and my bottle fell out. I managed to stop and unclip in good time to retrieve the bottle, which I then had to stick in my belt on my hip. (I don't have a real riding jersey yet, so I just wore a running shirt, and since I needed a pocket I used my running belt. It worked, but it made it obvious to anyone in the know that I'm not really a cyclist. Yet.) Then I had to deal with the annoying rattle of the loose bottle holder the rest of the way.

Second, while starting up at a stop sign, nervous about crossing a street with actual cars, I managed to get a giant cramp in my calf. I was proud of myself for not freaking out though, but as soon as I got across and out of the way I had to stop and try to walk it off. It still tightens up and I've been stretching it all day. Annoying.

Third, I pulled into a parking lot to eat a little something and have a drink of water, but as I came to my stop I didn't manage to unclip in time. Yes, I fell over. Right in front of an elderly couple in a truck. I must really have looked ridiculous, practically stopped on my bike but then tipping right over onto the ground. I'm fine, but I did get a little road rash on one leg and a bruise on the other.

You can barely see the bloody road rash beneath my knee, but it's there. Trust me.

Fourth, the fall made my chain come loose. Again, I'm proud of myself for not panicking. I turned my bike upside down (never done that before) and managed to get the chain back on (never done that before), using a stick so as not to get grease all over my hand. Then I simply carried on.

Fifth, I picked a six-mile stretch of relatively quiet road and just went back and forth until I reached forty miles. But it was a really hilly stretch. Going up the hills was hard but manageable. Going down the hills was terrifying, and I braked a lot.

Riding a bike is scary you guys.

Today I ran nine miles. That is exciting because I've finally got some decent mileage back after my injury. I still take a few walking breaks just to be safe, but overall I'm feeling pretty good in the running department. Right after the run I went for my swim.

Swimming is another area that has taken a determination to throw embarrassment out the window. When swimming, you have to wear a bathing suit in front of people. With a silly cap and goggles. Then you have to swim in front of a life guard and strangers in the hot tub. I'm okay with this now, but I probably wasn't a few years ago. Which is why I didn't tri (ha!) sooner. (And I haven't even gotten to open-water swimming yet, or the chaos of an open-water swim with a bunch of other kicking and flailing swimmers. Something to look forward to.)

I swam 1600 meters, including a 1000-meter time trial. I'm pretty slow, but I ended up doing it in less time than I thought it would take, and was relieved that it indicates I can probably finish the swim portion of the triathlon I want to do within the time limit. That's a relief. This workout completed week 6 of my 16-week training program. So far so...good? At least I'm excited (even if a little scared) to keep working!