I am going to tell you 3 stories now:
my running journey
If you want to challenge yourself, the biggest challenge is the best one. My biggest challenge is running. I really don’t (or didn’t?) like it, I run hardly faster than I walk, yet I am super exhausted after 100m.
So I faced the challenge and started running. Found a running group, ran by myself, and at some point – out of the blue – I managed to do 8k straight! I literally went from 2k to 8k in one week.
That was in April.
the other story
In April, a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to join her on a bike trip around Lake Constance (roughly 130k) I was scared, but I was all in! She borrowed me her racing bike (again, I was scared, but thrilled!) and we started. I enjoyed the bike so much, all I could think about was buying my own one. Which I did.
That was in March.
the real story
As I kind of enjoyed both sports now, and I’ve always been a decent swimmer, the thought of doing a Triathlon came to my mind. Swimming 500m (easy), Biking (18k) (absolutely doable) and finish with a 5k run (I know I can do it!) in May.
I was doubting a lot, going back and forth, overthinking, as I usually do.
Work schedule was pretty busy these days, I was working on a film set. Friday was a scheduled night shift, starting at 10pm until 4am in the morning. I can’t face my first triathlon with only 3h of sleep.
Also I had to give my bike back to the shop for some minor problem fixing and they promised to give me a call when I can have it back.
On Monday, we were announced at work that there was a storm coming up and therefore we couldn’t shoot Friday night. Which meant that I could do the triathlon, if I only had my bike. But no call from the bike shop on Monday.
Tuesday, no call. Wednesday, no call. So I called them and they promised to get it done the same day. Wednesday evening: “your bike is ready, when are you coming to pick it up? We’re open until 6, but then we close for the rest of the week due to a holiday.” And I was at work, no chance to escape before 6. I told my friend, he asked a colleague, and that lovely person went to pick my bike up for me so I could get it the same day. And just before the deadline at midnight, I signed up for the triathlon.
the best part
so Saturday morning, I woke up, my stuff already prepared, I got everything in the car, just for it to break down. Borrowed a car, moved everything to the other car, let’s not talk about my nerves!
I made it in time, but total newbie as I was, I really had no clue what to do and where to go, I just kept asking everybody for help, and they all were so nice!
The storm that was announced at work, did arrive in time, so weather was about 16°C, I didn’t mind, that meant less sweat, didn’t it?
First part: swimming: I can swim, so I was quite relaxed about that, got out of the water, ran to the changing zone, and started to change. There, I was a bit dizzy for a while, even had to hold on to the bike stands, but then I was fine, got my bike (helmet first!), and started. Just hoping I would find the right way and not get lost. After a few km, with all the volunteers on the side of the road, and so many spectators cheering me on, I just started crying for joy. I couldn’t believe all those people got up and took a day off for me to do a triathlon. So despite all the puddles and minor floodings on the road, the 18k were done so fast!
I was filled with endorphines, I didn’t fear the running. I got on my running shoes and started. 4 rounds around the stadium. The first round was tough, even though I was running quite fast, after the speedy cycling I felt slow as a snail. I was out of breath. So I forced myself to go slower, and then at some point I felt it! I knew I could do it! I might be slow, but nothing would be able to stop me.
and I finished my first triathlon!
the smile is still on my face 🙂
