Tuesday, December 15, 2009

i'm going to tri...

joy, deb, katy, me, and teresa after the running with angels 5k

once upon a time, i was training for the moab half marathon. it was a goal of mine to run a half marathon, and i was so excited to complete it. however, i met jayson a couple months before the race and suddenly my training program tanked. when race day arrived, i didn't feel as prepared as i'd hoped and i chickened out and only ran the 5 mile race. it's been hard to live that down and i really feel like i disappointed myself.

however, i also felt during that race that 5 miles was the most i'd ever like to run at one time. maybe it was because i was so ill-prepared, maybe its a.d.d., or maybe i don't love running like i thought. maybe i don't believe in myself enough. whatever it is, i decided that maybe i'd like to try something different.

a triathlon.

it sounded challenging enough, and diverse enough to do. i've been looking for a race for awhile, but between kids, no bike, and total inexperience in the field, i wasn't sure where to begin. i don't think i've known anyone around here who has participated in a race i could enter. the only race i knew anything about was the spudman, and that seemed out of the question.

so a couple weeks ago i was feeling especially out of shape and fat and resolved that it couldn't continue. a triathlon was the answer. i had to do it. i found a triathlon in american fork in may. it is a women only triathlon and a sprint distance (the shortest). 300 meter swim, 12.4 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. i could do that. it'd take some real training because i haven't lifted a finger in 9 months, but i believe i can accomplish something like it.

last week i bought a bike.

today i registered for the race.

i'm committed.

i have two friends doing it with me so far--elisa (my bff from high school) and stephanie (my bff from my mission). my sister-in-law is almost on board too, she just needs to believe she can do it.

and now, i'm inviting all of you to join me may 22nd. my goal is to finish and lose some of this muffin top i've aquired. that's it. if you join me, i promise i'll ride my bike with you, run with you, or swim with you a couple times before the race.

if you want to enter, go to triutah.com. registration opened today at noon, and last year they sold out within two days. so if you are interested, i'd hurry on over.

i'm so excited. and so nervous.

get-r-done!

17 comments:

Sharalea said...

you.are.awesome! I'm so impressed with your drive & can-do attitude!! I can't wait to hear how it goes!

janae said...

So awesome! That sounds right up my alley. This year is out of the question, but maybe next. I love it! (I've definitely considered the spudman, but I hate that it's a drawing thing. Bleh.)

janae said...

(At least the one in Idaho that I know of is. I guess there could be more than one. :)

Denise said...

You are going to be fantastic! Wish I could be there to cheer you on :)

Garner Family said...

That is so AWESOME!! I know that you will do it. How do train with your kids?

erin said...

WOW. You make it sound so fun. I almost just signed up and then I remembered that I am a wimp. Maybe I can head up the after race party....

austinamasandra said...

I know you can do this! I am soooooo PROUD of you!!!!

Amo-te menina,

That Girl said...

*clap clap clap clap clap*

I should do this too. Later.

The Livingstones said...

congratulations on the conviction! if i lived in utah, i may commit to do it. also, i just sold my road bike. just a bit of advice: get used to swimming with a lot of turbulence in the water. i thought i was going to drown during the swim of my first tri (the spudman). there were so many people, they were swimming over & under me and kicking me in the head. hopefully in a pool, it will be better :).

Harmony said...

oh boy!

I have absolutely NO excuse not to do this with you. But am I gonna do it? Umm...

(silence means I don't think you could talk me into it).

But kudos to you! You are absolutley amazing!!

Jamie Meacham said...

I might be in if I can get in shape in time after the baby. I also need a bike, but my brother might help. Send me more info! love ya

Sheli said...

I am so excited for you! I know you will be hooked. I would sign up with you....but I am doing "Iron Girl" here in Las Vegas the week before. Maybe we can do another race together. I am training for the St. George 1/2 marathon right now. I just ran 7 miles yesterday....I couldn't believe it!!!! I have never run that far before. I have the map posted on my magnet board and I think....ok, I can make it to this mile marker...now just gotta go down around the loop and back up! Great choice to pick a pool swim for your first race. When you get the hang of it you can do an open swim. Keep up the good work and let me know how things are going!!! P.S. Text me and let me know what kind of bike you bought. I am hopefully getting one in the next few weeks. (Christmas and birthday present) :)

Elizabeth said...

This is awesome, Heidi. I had never heard of this one before. I'm feelin' the vibe of enthusiasm.

And, as a sidenote, I have to say that whenever I read your blog, I love reading your writing because it just sounds like you are talking.

How do you know Sam and Janae Ricks? I just saw that she commented on here and I love her!

Shelley said...

U are so HEIDI! I love it. You inspire me. Keep it up momma!

Kris and Kally said...

wish I lived in Utah...I would totally do it with you! Good luck deary!

Krista said...

heidi! thanks for your comment on my blog a couple weeks ago. i'm sorry i haven't responded before now! the crazy holiday season is my only excuse! :)

but can i just say: I'M SO EXCITED YOU'RE DOING THIS RACE!

Seriously. You are going to love it. And OF COURSE i'd love to chat with you about it! Anytime. you can email me: kristaqm@gmail.com or call 801.360.1235. i'll be happy to tell you everything i wish i'd known before i did it for the first time last year.

my best friend and i start our training in january so ... here we go!

Elisa said...

I am so excited that you told me about this! It has kept me running all through the holidays and I am STILL going strong! This is exactly what I needed! And we should get together soon to train...