Woman of Steel!

"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself."

- Muhammed Ali

Everything seemed to be burning.... my legs, arms, and lungs!! Muscles that I didn't even know I had seemed to be aching. Yet I had never felt more alive!

Saturday was the Women of Steel triathlon. I knew that I wanted to try a sprint triathlon at some point before I had my next child. My great neighbor told me of one called the Women of Steel triathlon that she was going to do with her sisters. I figured why put it off and signed up and quickly paid so I couldn't back out.

When I began my training running a simple mile was a HUGE trial! I was so out of shape!! I can't even explain how far I had to go. I was quite positive that there was no way I was going to be able to accomplish this tri. I was scared and in all honesty kinda mad I had paid and told people about it because it would have been so much easier to just not do it!

About half way through my training I had a bit of an eye opening experience where I realized I was capable of so much more than I gave myself credit for. I could do this!

Race day that calming feeling of 'I can do this' flew out the window! I had some serious race day jitters! As I stood in the line waiting to get into the pool I talked with my neighbor, which helped distract me a little bit. Once I entered that pool I knew it was just me! Running from the pool to change and grab my bike I was still unsure of my ability to do this. I can say it was probably about 4 miles into the bike ride before I was reminded once again of my abilities.

I had finally rounded the corner after the hill that I felt would never end to face a crowd of people cheering. I know they were there for a certain person or group of people, but that didn't stop them from cheering me on as I passed by. Yelling out shouts of encouragement I felt renewed. I was a strong woman! I thought back to all that I had accomplished in the past years. Carrying and giving birth to 3 amazing kids being one of my greatest accomplishments. Not doing much physical aside from those kids and yet here I was accomplishing this race. I felt the love of my great family and friends and for one of the first times in a long time I felt a great love for myself. I was really proud of myself. What an amazing feeling that was!

Now I am sore, but I can't help but be reminded with each sore muscle of the great feat I have accomplished!

People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
-- Norman Vincent Peale