30 days until training

April 14, 2011 
     So I am 30 days out before I start the training plan for my first triathlon.  I am attending a swim clinic next week with an Olympic swimmer.  Not quite sure how I tell her, "Hey, I am doing my first triathlon and I can't swim underwater without plugging my nose" yet.  This is by far my biggest fear in doing this adventure along with the 3 mile run right after I bike for 17 miles.  I ran for two miles Monday night with a temperature of 67degrees and I thought oh man the summer is going to be rough for running.  I guess I will be up as soon as it gets daylight to get that run or bike ride in before the temperature gets too hot.
     The cost of doing this seems to creeping up on me.  I know I could have done it with any old bike, but I'm not.  I purchased a new bike from The Bike Shop.  Its a Jamis Allegro and the guys at the shop were really great about finding one that would be right for me. I haven't even registered yet for the race and I am close to $600.00 invested.  Which means I still don't have anything to wear, I don't have a helmet, I have to get a swim cap and goggles yet and I am sure I will need a new pair of running shoes soon. So I won't complain when I have to work on Saturdays for the next few weeks.
     My favorite quote in the training guide is this:  “DFL is better than DNF is better than DNS".  Translation "Dead Friggin last is better than Did Not Start is better than Did Not Finish.  They claim if you have even considered a triathlon then you have what it takes to finish.  Well, let me tell you, after reading some of the things in the training guide, which I have read about 10 times, I wonder.  A BRICK!!  Its when you incorporate 2 of your triathlon sports back to back.  With the bike to run being the most difficult.  Now that you have finished biking 17 miles you are going to ask your legs to run 3.  They say the heavy feeling in your thighs and the fact that you can't fully stand up straight is the hardest part to work through.  (I'll let you know about that when I get to it)   I know I can bike and I know I can at least run/walk for 20 minutes already, but the swimming is a whole new ball game.  So hopefully the swim clinic will help and then I will try to spend some more time in the pool over the next 30 days just to work on the swimming. 
     For now I can just envision myself crossing the finish line alive.
                                                   "We are capable of more than we think we are"