Yes, I’m training for a triathlon…how did this happen? I don’t even know how to swim I’m learning how to swim! Here’s my story in a nice neat little package.
I am a 30-something (barely) mom of 4 girls, age 9 and under, who unexpectedly fell back in love of running in 2012 just six months after the birth of my youngest daughter. Having raced competitively in high school and college, I took an almost 20 year break. My first few runs were AWFUL, there I said it. I could not make it 2 houses away from home without walking and returning home feeling defeated. Being stubborn determined, I stuck with it and it did not take long for me to remember why I had fallen in love with running so many years ago. Yes, running was hard, but I loved the wind in my face, I loved how happy and healthy it made me feel and mostly I loved showing my daughters what it meant to be strong.
Since my first run in 2012, I have competed in 20+ 5k’s, 9 half marathons, 1 marathon and even an ultramarathon in 2014; to say I caught the running bug would be an understatement.
I will be turning the big 4-0 this year and I wanted to do something EPIC to celebrate. Somehow the idea of competing in finishing a triathlon kept entering my mind. It is funny because as I am having these EPIC thoughts I know full well that I did not know how to swim, nor had I ever swam in my entire life.
Everything happens for a reason, and somehow one night while out on my run I stumbled across a public pool less than one mile from my house! How I had not noticed that pool in previous 10 years is beyond me. I came home and told my husband that all these crazy triathlon thoughts must be fate, a few weeks later I was signed up for adult swim lessons. Just like that…I found myself in the pool. Much like that first run, my first swims were awful. I could not swim a single length of the pool; I had no idea what I was doing, my legs were jello and my arms were spaghetti noodles. Now after a couple months of swimming I am finding that I am becoming more comfortable in the water. My swims are stronger and my confidence is growing. I have a long way to go, but I love pushing my limits. As a mom of 4 young girls who works full time and is married (to a pretty great guy who is also training for his first triathlon) finding time to squeeze in training sessions can be tricky. It is all about team work and balance at our house
I am so excited to wear Tri-Flare’s gear this year; it is such a great representation of strength and beauty. #triflaretribe I feel that women can and should be proud of our femininity and strength. Tri-Flare represents just that. #swimlikeagirl
This Momma Runs 