Last night I explained how I went from not-fit athletic girl to an endurance athlete. How did I transition from runner to tri-girl? After all, many runners avoid triathlons because after all, my sport is your sport's punishment!
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| Me and Stacey at Lake Lanier |
I blame Stacey. She caught me at a weak moment. I was fatigued from running and was open to new ideas. I agreed to sign up for an
Irongirl sprint triathlon. I could kind of swim (so much as I wouldn't drown). I was a runner. I did NOT own a bike. Blah blah blah... yada...yada...yada.... let the stress, panic attacks and self doubt begin. Did I mention this race was right at the end of lacrosse season? (Lacrosse season is when I give up my nights and weekends to travel around metro Atlanta and the states of: GA, AL, SC, and TN.) This did not leave much time to get on my bike.
There were horrible storms the morning of the race. The race director made the difficult decision to cancel. All that worry, stress, and falling off my bike for nothing! I wasn't giving up that quickly. I needed to find a race! The next weekend I had available and the closest race I could find was the
Tri Latta Triathlon in Huntersville, NC (Highly recommend it!!!). That was okay, I got to see a high school friend and a running friend!
After that race, I was hooked. Next was the
Acworth's Women's Sprint and then the
Tugaloo Olympic Triathlon. Each race was challenging in its own way. I started. I finished. I loved it. Well, maybe not the Acworth Sprint.....
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| Finishing shoot at Tugaloo! |
So now what? I think I DO want to do a Half Ironman (HIM). I think the one in
Augusta will be fun. I talk with my
coach (who thought I should have done it in 2013) and he is on board.
G-d bless
Facebook. Training Peaks is having a social media contest to win entry into a FULL IRONMAN! I think, what the hell, and enter. Top three win.
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| The top three finishers! |
YES! That's my entry in the middle. I finished second.... and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I went from wanting to train for a HIM in 2014 to a FULL IM in 2014. Now I am just waiting to hear from the people at Training Peaks to find out if I got the race I asked for, if not, I'll pick another.
I think I have everyone all caught up.
Another IM first-timer here. Lucked out and was able to get into IMFL 2014. I hope no matter which IM you're hoping for you get the spot (Kona?? :D). I heard about your blog on the Augusta 70.3 FB page -- I'm thinking about do that too. My blog is: www.ironman-full-on-stupid.blogspot.com. Looking forward to following your journey!
ReplyDeleteHi Janie! I'm hoping for IMFL but waiting for TP to confirm. They seem to think it won't be an issue, but I'm waiting for confirmation before I get too excited. I'm looking forward to celebrating many accomplishments with you!
DeleteMy name is Stacey... and, it's my fault. :p I'm glad I'm stubborn and could convince you to just freakin' DO IT! I knew you could and then some! And, since I'm ALLLLLLLLLLLLLWAYS right... I WAS! You will LOVE your training, Shawna and enjoy whatever IM you end up doing! I know you and I know you will succeed past your goal! Happy almost birthday!!
ReplyDeleteIt's still all your fault. :)
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