Wait...WHAT???? A triathlon????

Where did Steph go?  Does the blog post title actually say "TRIATHLON"???

If you know me, you know that I have always maintained that I will NEVER do a triathlon. Frankly, I just love running too much. I don't know how to properly swim, lakes freak me out, and I hate going fast on a bike. I don't even own a road bike!

So why would I even consider doing a triathlon?

Let's just call it peer pressure.

In February, right after the Austin Marathon, I started running with a triathlon group in Georgetown, although I always made it very clear I was there for the RUNNING...no one was getting me in a pool or on a bike. When new folks would join us for runs, I was always referred to as the one who only runs.  But slowly, in the back of my mind, I was thinking that maybe if I just took some swim lessons, my triathlon-phobia would ease up a bit.

This month, the family trekked out to Lake Pflugerville and spectated the sprint triathlon there. I had several friends competing, some in their first tri, and I have to admit that the excitement was sort of contagious. These people were having fun. And it was a sprint, which didn't seem all that daunting. 500 meter swim, 14 mile bike, 3 mile run.

My kids have both taken swim lessons (my littlest one is still doing them) and they are progressing so well in actual swimming ability. I'm kind of jealous. I can swim, but I have no idea how to properly breathe, I fear putting my face in the water, and I'm not all that speedy. I won't drown, but I make it all look ugly. In contrast, my kids look like naturals.

Okay, so I needed to take some lessons. FINE...I'll do that.

Once I made that choice...oops....a triathlon started sounding like a good idea. Dammit.

So I made it known I would do one in 2013...to all 594 Facebook friends. I officially became a member of Georgetown Triathletes. I have 58 comments on the status update announcing my new goal.

Holy hell, I'M SCREWED.


(But I'll never do an Ironman)