If Britney Spears Can Make It Through 2007... Then I Can Make it Through 70.3

Humor is my defense mechanism. Or coping method... or whatever you want to call it. Humor gets me through.

In fewer than 48 hours I will be headed into the James River for a nice 1.2 mile swim, followed by a lovely Sunday morning/afternoon 56 mile bike ride to be topped off by a quick little 13.1 mile jog.

I am only half joking at my tone. After everything that I have done and been through on my way to this goal, the race itself actually feels completely reasonable.

I received the sad news last night of a friend from the past taking his own life. I received the same news about a different friend from the past one week ago. My heart hurts. I am so sad for them and their families, but even more I am sad for them because I know just how much pain they must have been in to go through with it, because I have been there on several occasions.

It all reminds me of how close I have come to that edge in the past and how thankful I am to have the treatment, resources and support I need to make sure I don't.

In no particular order, here is what I have been through, on top of the "normal" training for 70.3 in the past six as I have prepped for this race:

Oh, and did I mention I just learned to swim in Spring 2012?

I don't write this list for pity or to brag to anyone - except myself. No matter the outcome of Sunday's race, I am damn proud of myself. And the best part of all this? No matter how I do in my first long distance triathlon, it will be a Personal Record.




My race hairdo -- Who wears it better? ME

Britney


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