Why I team up with friends On a sticky August day with lake grit and sweat still on our skin, two good friends and I celebrated completing a triathlon. We chose Chambourcin and cheese at the winery where the race was held. Then, we returned to regular life, worn out but renewed by facing the challenge together. Our camaraderie is…
Last weekend, I had a couple of firsts: 1) First Olympic distance race since before I became a mom and 2) first flat tire in a race. Now is a good time to tell you what I learned, in the hope you can benefit from my experience. That is to say, don’t be me. As to the first First, usually…
There aren’t many things I remember from my first triathlon, other than the “Hey, I just did that!” feeling of accomplishment. One of them was my husband sidewalk chalking all over the course. (This was in the days pre-children before he was corralling munchkins who want nothing more than to scamper out in front of the cyclists.) I must’ve encountered…
I want to apologize to beginners for over-simplifying things. It’s been more than a few years since I completed my first tri, and I seem to have selective amnesia. This spring, a funny thing happened: a brand new triathlete started living with me. Well, he’s been living with me for a long time, but he’s just become a triathlete. We…
Overcome common obstacles to success in your first tri So you’re interested in doing a triathlon. Maybe you’ve seen a picture on social media of a friend standing by the finish line proudly brandishing her finisher’s medal. Maybe you’re looking for a new workout challenge. Whatever the reason, you think swim-bike-run might be for you. Except that you don’t. Except…
Incrementalism Can Work for You You’ve heard the saying, “Go hard or go home.” We glorify those who put it all on the line. Our heroes quit their jobs or drop out of college to pursue their true callings. They are the ones who, exhausted and gasping for air, stretch across the finish line ahead of the one who didn’t…
As an 80s kid, I, like Hannibal (Smith, that is), love it when a plan comes together. This goes for my triathlon training, too. I’m downright giddy when, 12 weeks before race date, I see the workouts written on my calendar and finally get started. This time of year, I’m itching to register for a race. If you’ve never completed…