5 Months to Go...

Seven years ago I was headed to Ventura, Ca. to race as the featured athlete in the Dina LaVinga Breath of Life Triathlon, but didn't make it. I was eager to race, but my health was just too poor. Fast forward to 2010, and I am now planning to attend this race, and finish my commitment. Although I have done the Ironman at 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run, at this time in my life an olympic distance race seems like a long distance! This race is a .93 mile swim, a 24.8 mile bike, and a 6.2 mile run.

I am "preparing" right now to train. I swim 2-3 times a week doing drills for form, I run 2-3 times of varying distances, but not much more than 5 1/2 miles at this point, and cycling 2-3 times per week on indoor trainers for about 1-2 hours. But lets be honest, doing this day in and day out takes some fitness. Triathlon training isn't about one training session being particularly stellar, but the ability to do the daily training, and it be sustainable. Day in and day out. And believe me, I have blown off training sessions, when needed. So what IS the difference between preparation and training? They look a lot alike, yet in preparation, I am not doing any of the workouts very hard, and am totally focusing on form, technique, and repeatability.

My expectations are not high. Seven years ago I would have expected to have a podium finish, but now I would likely finish way back from this! I'm good with this, really.....I am, sort of. I'm alive, and that says a lot, but I am wired like a triathlete. These are the people who think that one sport just isn't quite good enough for them. Yup, I'm that person. What can I do? It is probably this trait that has given me the fire to expect better health than what my doctors thought was even remotely possible. Yes, poor quality of life and a certain early death.....that is just not quite good enough for me!!

When this article was written, I was 33. Dina LaVigna was 33 when she passed away. Four years ago, I came very very close to passing away yet again. It's close, and it's personal. But I can't think about it. I will get out of bed tomorrow, God willing, and go to the pool to swim....because I can.