Here we are, back on the journey. If you're new to my blog, let me take you down memory lane. I started documenting my triathlon adventures in 2011, leading up to my very first triathlon race. I wish I could share some of those older posts with you, but they seem to have vanished into the digital ether. Too bad, because they were quite entertaining.
But let me assure you, I don't need those old posts to relive the memories. I can still vividly recall the heart-pounding moments of my first terrifying plunge into the Hudson River. I was so scared and nervous that I ended up peeling off half my wetsuit because I thought I was choking. Then there was that year when it rained all night and well into the morning. My socks were utterly soaked. By the time I hit the run, I made the impulsive decision to go sockless. Here's a piece of advice: never do that! The blisters that followed took two weeks to heal. And who can forget the year I got a splinter the size of my fingertip right before the race? We couldn't locate tweezers at the swim start, so I took the plunge. But as I pedaled away on the bike, that stubborn splinter burrowed in deeper. By the time I crossed the finish line, it took both the Husband and my mother to excavate it.
In 2019, the Husband (my trusted sherpa) and I tackled a 70.3 (half ironman distance). The training was bundled within the preparation for two other races - Escape from Alcatraz and NYC Tri. Surprisingly, the training didn't seem as daunting as it sounds.
Then, 2020 brought Covid-19, and suddenly there were no races. It seemed like there was nothing at all. We all remember those times.
To keep spirits high, everyone tried their hand at virtual races, and for that, we're grateful. But let's be honest – it's just not the same.
In 2021, I had my concerns. I decided to defer all my races to 2022.
But wait, there's more – I decided to add one more race, a return to Escape from Alcatraz for the second time. And you know what? 2022 turned out to be an amazing year for racing.
Just recently, I celebrated a whopping 12 years of triathlon racing. Whoa! Even I never anticipated that milestone when I first dipped my toes into the triathlon waters. You see, I didn't dive into triathlons because I had an overwhelming desire to. I did it because they were hard, and, let's be honest, they gave me some serious street cred (though the level of which is yet to be determined).
The journey has been full of lessons, too numerous to list here today, which brings me to my current state of mind: Am I done?
I can't answer that question right now. What I can tell you is that, as I write this post, I'm thinking about all the memories and excitement that racing brings. I'm reminded of the unique kind of fitness you can only gain from that level of training. And then, I checked my email - I've been accepted back onto Team Infinit Performance for my fourth year. Triathlon has seeped into my identity; it's become a part of who I am. Also, I have a yearning for a love affair with my SUP and maybe even improving my golf game (it would make the Husband so happy).
So, while I mull over where my journey might lead me in the coming months, I'll keep this blog alive with all things health, fitness, and, of course, my oh-so-humble opinions. Stay tuned!
