compete in a triathlon

Wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world.

Did the Pacific Grove tri last September. Woot!

Training

Biked 5.4 miles: I didn’t think to keep track of how long it took. (Oops. I’m new at this.)

We were on a pretty flat course, so the distance wasn’t terribly difficult. The biggest problems I had were in my upper body: the grip is terribly uncomfortable so by the end, my hands were killing me; I was nervous, so I was riding with my shoulders up at my ears; and I didn’t have enough balance or strength to really take my hands off the handlebars without the bike going all wobbly. That last bit kept me from being able to change gears. Ha ha.

So. I need padded gloves and I need to see about having the gear shifts moved up to where I can reach them with my thumbs.

Tomorrow is our first group run and the fitness seminar.

Fundraising

Great progress in the fundraising arena! I’m 21% of the way to my goal already and I haven’t written my first letter yet. I’ve started making lists of businesses I want to approach and general fundraising ideas. I’m still trying to think of something neat to send to sponsors as a thank you. I sent one batch of handwritten thank you notes (the first day’s sponsors) but that doesn’t seem like quite enough.

Superfluity

- I started checking out Beginner Triathlete.

- Dave has decided to do this event with us!

My “progress” thus far (I use ”” because I’ve gone all the way from ground zero to, like, ground .001):

1 – Signed up with Team in Training.
2 – Convinced Laurenn to play along.
3 – Read through the Fundraising Booklet.
4 – Started riding my bike. Heh.

[Whoa, nelly. Hijinx totally ensued.

First, the seat was way too high somehow – this after I’d been to a cycle shop to have the thing fitted. Then, I discovered that the bag that had my tools in it and fit under my seat had gone missing. Fraction and I managed to adjust the seat, but in the process we lost a nut and the light fell off.

We tried to take the toe clips off (after I’d paid to have them put on) but we couldn’t get the wrench in there. Screw it, we decide. I’ll just have to learn.

So I climb aboard. I’ve been so intimidated by this damned bike that this is literally the FIRST TIME I’VE BEEN ON IT outside the bike shop.

I’m immediately convinced that the tires are flat. Laurenn - who is literally riding in circles around me - assures me that I am not in fact so fat that I’ve mushed my tiny yellow tires into tiny yellow pasta noodles.

Now, in order to reach the brakes, I’m bent completely in half. More than in half, actually. I am an acute angle. “This can’t be right,” I insist.

“That’s racing position,” Laurenn explains.

I’m ready to give up already, but with Fraction, Laurenn and Captain Applejack urging me on, I manage to pedal a bit.

Also? I figure out that I can unfold a little, hold on to the black bits above the brakes and reach them without crimping my back like Culture Club hair.

Can I reach the gear shifts? Oh, hell no.

Screw the gear shifts. I don’t really know how they work anyway.

Time to ride! I circle the block maybe 3 times…? Okay, there are hills but DUDES: I got winded. Three! Blocks! Also, I’m all kinds of discombobulated. I can’t get my toes in and out of the clips, the webbing between my thumb and index finger hurts—which makes sense since my body weight is resting on those tender membranes…

I’m going to ride 25 miles by September? I’m so doomed.]

Things I need to do:

1 – Brainstorm fundraising ideas.
2 – Set up contribution website.
3 – Continue posting a training journal.
4 – Take the bike back to the bike shop: ask about seat height; ask about handlebars; buy gloves; price rack for car; and see if I can have gear shifts moved.
5 – Find a place to swim.
6 – Experience swim-related humilation.
7 – Find out if my new cross-trainers will work or if I need running shoes.
8 – Experience run-related humiliation.
9 – Put training schedule and TNT events in iCal.
10 – Panic.