The Body is Capable of Amazing Things

I've neglected my blog lately. Not on purpose. I'm a mom, with two kids, and a great dane dog. One of my kids and the dog wrecked my computer. No, seriously they did. There is a reason I ask that no food or drink go near the computers.                                                                                                                           This past weekend I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon. Most people might not think much of this especially since my biggest goal is yet to come... My first half Ironman. However this time last year I was laid up on the couch from a mountain bike accident. Broken ribs, twisted clavicle, separated ac joint. Then 2 weeks after the accident I got called in for knee surgery. Yup, I never dreamed I would be racing an Olympic distance.                                                                                                                        I went in not knowing what to expect. I have been training but this is just the beginning of the season.  My coach had set a goal of 3:15:00 After a training session together 1 week before the race he switched it to 3:00:00. I had no idea if I was capable of this goal. I started off with my pool swim. Despite doing all of my swim training in a pool during the winter I still do not like pool swims. I much prefer open water. I am known for being a great swimmer, however my race did not reflect that... at all. I learned a few things at this race. My trisuit has some horrible drag to it. Next time I will just wear a swimsuit. I had a bad cold going into the race. I have some sort of chest cold that my doctor tried to help me with so I could still race. When I was in the water I felt weak and could not breath. All that being said I think if I had been training with the Under Water Audio Waterproof iPod shuffle I don't think my swim would have been a problem at all ; )    I would be jumping at the chance to go swimming so I can listen to all of my music. My little escape from life. I don't know about you but I dread heading to the pool. I love to swim but for some reason getting my butt there is the hardest thing. If I have my music waiting for my I guarantee I will in that pool daily. Remember this post? A Few of my Favourite Things.  Yup still waiting for one. I discovered this awesome gadget from browsing my fav pro athlete and mentor Gillian Clayton's blog.  She is so fabulous that I know if I get one I would be just as awesome as her.                                                                                                                                                                                                              Once I got out of the water and onto my bike I actually started feeling really good. I had a great bike time and still had power for the run. I have to admit, it was bloody cold!!!!! When I headed out on my run it took a good 2km to feel my feet again. No, seriously. I am not kidding.                                               I am the first to admit, I am a slow runner. I have been working really hard to lower my running times but man is it tough. Fortunately I am a slow and steady runner so despite being slow I still manage to pass the odd person.                                                                                                                                        The one thing that surprised me most during this run is once I got on the bike I felt great. I had no niggles, I had no mental drama. You know, the one when your mind tells you to stop this is too hard? Or I'm feeling tired I'm just going to walk for 1 minute. I had none of that. I was extremely surprised. I actually meditate daily to try and limit the mental drama so it must be working.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              My good friend Rikst cheering me on for the last push to the finish. Yes, I am fighting back the tears.                                                                                                                                                                                 I know I'm close.                                                                                                                                        I am happy! I cannot begin to express how happy I am. I felt amazing crossing that finish line. I did not meet my goal of 3:00:00. I missed it by 5 minutes. I'm a little disappointed about that because I really wanted to hit that 3hour goal but you know what? I learned so much during this race that the time doesn't matter. I did it and I felt great.                                                                                                                              *I hope you enjoyed my extra tid bit  about Under Water Audio. I'm trying to win myself one through a contest they are having. I've been wanting one for months and now that my husband is out of work I probably won't be getting one anytime soon which makes me very, very sad.                                               **Also apologize for the lack of spacing and alignment in this post. Looks like my computer didn't fully recover from the kids and dog dumping water on it.