Triathlon butterflies in my stomach!
This month’s issue of Inside Triathlon listed the 117 must-do races for 2008. As I skimmed through the pages of each race I caught two that really made my mouth water and my stomach ache.
Okay, how can I describe the feeling of just thinking about doing an Ironman Triathlon event? For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and to finish it off, a 26.2 mile run – which is a full marathon run.
I fantasies of someday doing this race distance. I think about it and the next thing I know, butterflies are in my stomach. I get nervous, my hands sweat, my heart beats harder and my knees feel weak. It’s way off in the future and I will dream about it till the day I’m actually standing there in a wetsuit, waiting for the horn to blow! Whew. I get so nervous just thinking about the atmosphere.
Well, I was going through ‘lesser’ events – like Olympic distance events - and I came across two races that I wish I planned on doing but am too late to sign up for.
Just reading about them made my mouth water, it got my juices goin’ and made me want to slip on my shoes for a 10 mile run. I envisioned being there, riding my bike, crossing the finish line and enjoying the festivities. The thing that made these so appealing is the location: both are in Hawaii! One in May and one in July.
Hmmm… maybe I can do the July one.
I desperately want to do one or both of these Triathlons. If not this year, for sure in 2009!
The Honolulu Triathlon is held the weekend of May 17-18. Distance: 1.5km Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run. The Tinman Triathlon, also in Honolulu, is on July 20. Distance: 750m Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run.
The Tinman is shorter as far as the swim is concerned, but both are in Hawaii which makes it such a must do Triathlon to me. If I’m not in Kona doing an Ironman, why not do an Olympic distance race in Honolulu, right?
I reread the description and dreamed of swimming in those calm warm waters and riding along the highways in Hawaii. Then I get to the post-race festivities description where it says, “Spend the evening savoring some mai tais and live slack-key gutar” and “hit the Finish Festival for live music, ripe bananas and tankloads of Jamba Juice.” and I get extremely excited.
Usually my post-race festivities mean getting changed in the back of my mini van and go home for a nap. Wouldn’t it be great to finish a race, enjoy the day at a festival, and still have some days in Hawaii to lay out, swim and eat good food? It’d be so cool to be there for a 10 day vacation with my family, my sister and her family, mom, and dad to fund the week, and cross the finish line to their cheers. Holy crap I’m so excited just thinking about it! I should just sign up for it and tell Donna to book the hotel!
I’m doing one of those in 2009 for sure! I mean it. If I can do the July 20 Tinman this year I’m sure going to do it but I believe we have other vacation plans that do not include a Triathlon event.
So I’m less than 2 weeks away from my first Tri of the year. I’m not ready as of today. Jake said, “You can probably do it right now.” And I thought, yes, but it would be torturous. I just need a couple more training runs of 6 miles or more, maybe two more 10 mile bike rides, and at least one solid 5K run 10K bike BRick workout and I’ll be ready.
I have to signup for a couple more this week before they get sold out! I already missed the New York Triathlon due to a sell out, so I better get off my butt, train, and commit to more events! I just get so nervous doing so.
When I signed up for the Redlands Triathlon (Feb 10) and the Pasadena Triathlon (Mar 
I got the same nervous feeling I get thinking about a full blown Ironman event. I began to sweat, I was nervous, and I was starting to have cold feet even before I clicked on “submit” on my online application form.
It happens every time I signup for a Triathlon no matter what the distance.
I’m nervous just thinking about it right now.
I shouldn’t be. It’s ‘just a sprint’ I tell myself.
A 5K run, a 10 mile Bike and a 100 Yard swim is nothing, right? That’s like an hour out of my day. It’ll take longer driving to Redlands than it will for me to cross the finish line right?
Hey… I’ll be in a new age grouping this year! The 40-44 age group! I should rock this age group. Those guys are old!
