I have to say that the Strathmore Tri became a huge source of inspiration for me. As I sat around the pool deck waiting for my swim heat all of the hardcore triathlon women were chatting about their kids; in my heat alone all but one woman had a baby under the age of 1. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this is — especially to those people who don’t have kids. When you are childless and have your evenings and weekends free you can’t even begin to understand what it’s like having a little person dominate every moment of “free” time. In my world the definition of “free time” is usually training time (a.k.a time away from Mak). And yet I was with these women who are rock solid, training for several triathlons, and slipping in a thing or two about how doing a 60-100k ride will make your breast milk disappear for a day or how they are going to complete Ironman before their baby heads off to school.
I was humbled. I was also amazed by the kids on the pool deck and on the race route who were cheering on mom at the finish line. Every time I think about this I get teary eyed.
After last week’s foray into the triathlon world I have become an addict; and, if they removed running from the sport I’d be doing Ironman next year. I am particularly addicted to cycling and am looking forward to every breathing second I can be on my bike (if any of you call me a Betty or Bunny I’ll give you a shot in the mouth). This is not unusual and has been an obsession that has followed me throughout my entire life; maybe it’s time to do something productive with this love of cycling outside of the daily commute.
The nice boys as Speed Theory (previously Way Past Fast) have agreed to help me onto a racing bike better suited for me. I’m now at the point when I am spending all my time in the largest chainring on my mountain bike and it’s annoying because I can’t go any faster even with slicks / 60PSI. I still love my bike — but it’s better suited for winter commuting and climbing mountains.