For the love of it!

Hello all! 

It has been awhile since I last wrote, but know that this blog is always in the back of my mind.

When I began training for my first triathlon in 2002, I had no formal swimming lessons. I could do a basic lifesaving type stroke and was not afraid of the water, but I don’t think I was even aware that pools were measured in meters or yards. I can remember my first experiences swimming at the Oakland University Recreation Center with a triathlon group and learning the Total Immersion Techniques of swimming. It wasn't a pretty sight, but those are still some of my fondest memories of my triathlon training. It is funny to think back to that time…500 meters seemed so long. Lucky for me, I was a natural and picked up the techniques quickly with some guidance from my friends.

Today, swimming is probably my favorite discipline when thinking about the sport of triathlon. So, you can imagine my excitement when it was announced that our triathlon club would be having a “Swim Challenge” for the month of March. This challenge stemmed from the club’s challenges in January to run 100 miles and February where participants biked 300 miles. This month would be devoted to swimming 17,500 meters.  In my pregnant state, I knew that this was something I could do!!  I signed up and was super excited to hit the pool. I had it all planned out…just swim 1,400 meters three days a week and I would be golden. The first week wasn't a problem. I was enjoying myself and actually got more distance in than planned. Then our house was hit with a cold virus like no other. I was down for the count for almost 10 days, so I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to complete the goal. Once I started to feel better I was determined to finish what I started. I re-figured my plan and found that I would need to swim close to 2,000 meters three days a week and really kick it in during the last week of the month.  I was a little nervous, but with the support of my sweat sisters and husband I was able to get it done…and I was so proud!! I haven’t put that much consistent time in the pool since I was training for my Ironman a few years ago, but the busy nights at the pool, smell of chlorine, and the feeling of weightlessness made me really fall in love with swimming again.

 Not sure if it was the “Swim Workouts in a Binder” book, my bright yellow Infinite MultiSport swim cap, Ironman water bottle, or my mad skills that made people curious, but many times this month I had fellow swimmers ask me what I was training for. At the time, I really didn't have an answer because for the first time in 12 years I do not have a single race on my calendar.  In less than 10 weeks, I will certainly have my hands full with my new little one...and for once I can say I’m perfectly fine with not having a race on my calendar.

After thinking about how I could have answered the question,  I realized that it is easy to get caught up in our goals…setting them, working towards them, and eventually accomplishing them. Sometimes these goals can be overwhelming and we often forget why we set them in the first place.  That is when it becomes a chore. ..just train to get to the finish line. I understand that the feelings of accomplishment and self pride at the finish are what makes us come back for more, but it is okay to take a step back and enjoy our workouts for what they are…a chance to feel centered and connect with the life we've been given. 

So, for this year and maybe even next, if you ask me what I’m training for I will be proud to say, “I’m training for life and the love of it!”

Sarah