the beginning...

In the Beginning--was a lot of failure....

A. Lot. Of. Failure but all good...all good...

First and foremost I needed a coach and a bike. Yup--I only owned a mountain bike and that I had not been on in about..UMM..lets say.Years.

I found a coach, Martha Grinnell, local and really cool. We talked and agreed on a plan starting in October 2007 to take me through to July 2008, broken down to 8-10 week increments.

But I still needed a bike. I have a really nice mountain bike but I don't think that would cut it. I began my search in July, right around the time I entered. After weeks of research and riding, I found one and bought it in Sept. 2007 (only 10 month 'til the Ironman). The last time I rode a road bike was a ten speed about 20 years ago. Man, things have changed!

In the meantime, I began swimming and running--yes, BEGAN running--I hate running therefore I need to work on it. I started out with the kids 2.4 mile trail run weekly with my 7 year old that June and much to his pleasure, I had to walk 4 time with 3 shortcuts to catch up with him. I realized I really need to work on this. I started slow, running about 1-2 miles every couple of days, really easy and it got better, much better--I don't hate it anymore.

All this with the Ironman in mind....2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile run in one day...

Swimming I did for fun about 2o minutes 2 x week at a local fitness club. I didn't hate it but definately needed to get better at it--so I read a book and tried to learn from it and then met with Martha and it got better.

I got my bike the beginning of Sept.2007--and it didn't come with pedals--most of my friends think that was pretty funny. The more expensive the bike the less it comes with--like learning how to clip out of those damn pedals before you stop and fall over in traffic, assuring everyone passing by calling out to see if your okay--that you are okay. Then explaining to your kids that Mommy falls off her bike too and can proudly show off your bruises. Then the practice comes--clip in/clip out/ clip in /clip out for the next 1 mile or so. I need to get out there and ride, again and again....

So I fell off it--again and again and BUT GOT UP... Again...and Again.

Peace!