I registered for my first triathlon!

Context:

In the winter of 2000, closing in on 200 pounds (at 5'4"), I joined a gym for the first time and started exercising. One afternoon that spring, I needed to exercise but it was far too nice out to exercise indoors. And so I gave up the mantra I had held for so long -- run when chased -- and went for a jog. Later that year, I ran my first 5K in roughly 35 minutes. My lifetime best speed is 29:58.

In August, 2003, I moved cross country and left my car behind. For a year and a half, my main means of transportation was bicycle.

In July, 2006, I started working with a personal trainer at the gym on a regular basis. I loved getting stronger and leaner, and my trainer pushed me hard.

In May, 2007, I was diagnosed with lymphoma and training took a back seat.

In February, 2008, I filed back into the ranks of "real life." I started exercising again and wanted to learn to swim for exercise. (I could already be in water over my head and not drown. I could already get myself out of the middle of a lake. But swimming laps? Not so much.) I joined a new gym where I could work with a trainer in the pool but didn't start that until summer.

In April, 2008, I ran my first post-cancer 5K in 39:30. I ran another just a few weeks ago in 34:30. That is my current time-to-beat.

Somewhere along the way, I learned that not all triathlons are super-long. I thought about trying one out.

On Tuesday, almost a year to the day of ending cancer treatments, I registered for my first triathlon!!! I'll be racing in a women's sprint tri on May 9 in Tempe, AZ.

I am super-excited about this venture and decided to start this blog to share prepping for it.

Today's exercise plan is just to do a little swimming. Swimming is easily my weakest link. I can't swim far enough to complete this race yet. That's OK - I'll get there in plenty of time. Today I am not feeling all that great, but I didn't exercise Wednesday or yesterday, so I need to do something today, even if I just go and do a few laps.

Also, I want to see my trainer, B., because I haven't seen him since I registered.

Here goes nothin'!