I wonder what this says about me? I didn’t start really training until I was going through my divorce … doesn’t everyone start kickboxing and training for a marathon when getting divorced??? My first marathon was at age 40. I’ve done 4 or 5 since then, lots of 1/2 marathons and now triathlons. I love the training! I hate the competition.
The racing is not that fun for me. I bring this up because my training partner is doing her first tri of the year today and she and I have a 1/3 Ironman Relay next weekend (I do the swim/run and she does the bike – which I think is brutal!). I am only looking forward to it because I have a partner to do it with. Sure, I can swim 1+ miles in a lake and run 9. It’s tough, but very doable. It’s just the thought of having to do it for time, not for fun! I find it stressful … and maybe that’s what true athletes like!
My training runs are so fun! I often go out with a group of fantastic women. We chat about everything under the sun. We stop for water, the bathroom (thankfully) and still sweat and get in a work out. When I run my 9 next weekend, I won’t be chatting with people (although I may stop at a bathroom!) and I will be trying to run those miles as fast as I can without throwing up (a common occurrence for me!). Not as fun as my training runs!
When I train in the lake it is peaceful and enjoyable (unless I’m swimming with my daughter – then I feel like I have to keep track of her even though she’s a stronger swimmer than me!). I’m not fighting off huge guys (and women) in wet suits (I don’t wear one), kicking me in the face and whacking me everywhere else.
So, why do it? Why not go to yoga and count the ceiling tiles? I really don’t have a good answer for that one. It’s just one of those things I do in the summer so that I get that question from my kids … “Did you win?” Remember, the older I get, the slower the age group time and the closer I get to winning. Check in with me when I get to the 80-85 bracket. We’re sure to see a win then — if I can cross the finish line!
Good luck to all those racers out there today – and to those who are going off to do runs with their friends (like me!)! Have a great Saturday.
theyearof50 