Me: "I don't know how to swim"
Maggie: "The coaches will teach you."
Me: "I have a fear of swimming in the ocean."
Maggie: "We're swimming in the Potomac. It's not an ocean."
Me: "I don't have a bike."
Maggie: "You can lease one."
Me: "I don't have a wetsuit."
Maggie: "You'll get one with TNT. Anything else?"
Me: "Fine. Ok. I'll do it"
WHAT was I thinking????
I really don't know how to swim. I have never been the girl to say, "hey, let's go swimming!" I am the one sitting poolside working on my tan or sitting at the edge with my feet in the water or in the shallow end standing and enjoying the cool water. Now I don't know if watching Jaws as a child scared the sheet out of me but I have not ever gone into waters that I can't see what is below me. Pun intended; this is going to be a VERY tri'ing experience for me.
A few weeks before Kick-off I was going through a list of what I think I would need for practices. Like I need more athletic gear! I was on the fence of purchasing a bike. I really didn't know how I would do and didn't want to spend and obscene amount of money on a bike if wasn't going to use beyond the season. I thought about leasing a bike through West LA Bikes and started comparing prices with used bikes on Craigslist. I opted for purchasing a used Trek bike for a little less than the amount of the lease price. So far, I am very happy with my bike and am glad I purchased it. You see, I really enjoy cycling and already have my eyes set on a Century Bike event with TNT.
Below: Maggie and I at Fall Season Kick-off.
The last time I purchased a swimsuit was in 2003. I think I spent about $20 at PacSun. Coach Amanda sends out a status on facebook that swimsuits are on sale at Big 5 but I still paid $$ for a Speedo one piece suit and the TYR suits were just as expensive. $60 on sale? They were normally $75. What the heck, it's just a tiny piece of stretchy material, those prices are ridiculous. I also bought some googles so that I can see where I am going in the water.
First swim practice was on May 23rd. All day my tummy was doing flips as if I was going on a first date. It was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I got ready at home and put on my swimsuit. I really wasn't ready to go and meet all my coaches and teammates looking like a beached whale. And did I mention the back fat? What the heck is that and where the F*CK did it come from!?! Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! Racer back swim suit is NOT attractive. I relunctantly arrived at Glassell Park pool and was greeted by coaches, mentors and teammates. I was so happy to meet other "non-swimmers" and immediately felt at ease that I was not the only one. I survived my first swim practice. Who knew that kicking and breathing at the same time would be difficult? I didn't. I felt so uncoordinated. I would go a few meters and would have to stop to cough and get out all the water in my nose. I took in so much chlorine water, my insides were very clean. Don't ask me how long I was in the pool or how many laps I did, I'm just happy I didn't drown! I may have the shortest triathlon career ever if I freak out during my first open water swim. So officially, the insanity has begun. Like I need another athletic event to become obsessed with. Now I can be mediocre at 3 sports; swim, bike, and run.
First Saturday practice was in Santa Monica. It was a beautiful sunny morning. Looking out at the beach, I thought "I could get used to this." I was looking forward to this practice as it was a short 30 minute run AND it was something I was comfortable doing. Who would have ever thought that I would be so happy to run? Not I! Our second practice was also a short 40 minute run at Griffith Park with A Runner's Circle conducting a shoe clinic. Nothing beats a GO TEAM to end an awesome practice!
Our first bike practice was in Playa Del Rey. It was a timed ride. This was the day I figured I would fall in the Avenger's group (with the exception of the swim portion). 10.46 miles in 47 minutes. I loved our second bike practice as it was along the LA river bike path. I got into a nice, easy groove and did 14.36 miles in 58 minutes. Afterwards we had a tire changing clinic. 
All practices after have been either biking only or what the coaches refer to as a BRICK (Bike+Run+icky legs). Us SGV gals returned to home territory at the Rose Bowl with my first BRICK. I love our mission moments before practice as it reminds me why I continue to do this. It is very humbling to hear stories from our teammates of pain and suffering, as well as success. We took off and did a warm-up loop around the Rose Bowl. 3.1 miles to start with an immediate introduction to Linda Vista hill. Half way up the hill, I tried to go to the lowest gear and realized that I WAS in the lowest gear! Why did it feel as if I was in the highest gear? For a quick minute, I thought about getting off my bike and walking up the hill. Then I remembered Liz's mission moment about 20 minutes earlier and told myself to suck it up. I made it up the hill, slowly but surely. After that, the hills didn't seem so bad. Bring on the hills (I obviously had no clue about the next practice)!!!Since this was a looong, catch up blog, I will end it here. More to come about my second BRICK in Santa Monica and those dreadful hills!!!
Thank you for all my family and friends that continue to support me in my crazy endeavors to better myself while helping fight cancer, one mile at a time!
~ Me ke aloha ~
Lynn
