The Pregnant Triathlete

Once again, a look at Lake Chelan where we'll be doing our triathlon this weekend. I'm sure we'll be having as much fun as those people frolicking on the beach.... :)

I don't have a picture of myself running across the finish line, but I found one of a lady who most resembles me. Minus the tan, six pack, long brown hair...haha! I think I'm so funny.

So...I waffled.

After our first triathlon in June, Tyler and I were both pretty pumped and anxious to do another. We were trying for a babe at the time, but didn't know when that was going to happen so we signed up to do a second tri. Now I am nearly 8 weeks pregnant, not feeling so well, and the prospect of running a triathlon this weekend really doesn't sound so appealing. So much so that last week I was not going to do it. I had totally signed off mentally and decided it was a no-go for me. I wasn't feeling well, we didn't have a babysitter for Max and we haven't done much (okay, hardly any!) training this time. I felt totally justified in my decision, which was backed up by my supportive husband.

But then yesterday I got on-line to see about getting refunded. I saw in big, bold letters the words "NO REFUNDS". Hmmph. Then I started looking around the site and looking at the course maps and the pictures of all of the smiling triathletes. I went back in my mind to last month when I crossed the finish line and hadn't died. I felt SO good about myself. So hard-core! So now I am thinking, "How much more hard-core will I feel if I complete a tri while I am pregnant and feeling not-so-hot?!" I am sure there are many, many women out there who are much more hard-core than me and they probably compete in marathons and triathlons much further into their pregnancies. I may not be as cool as them, but at least now I can claim to be in the same group. Even if it's the bottom of that group. Like, the very bottom.

I got off the computer, picked up the phone and called our favorite babysitter, Amberlie. I made the trip to Chelan (about 3 hours away) sound really fun and exciting! I told her she could bring a friend and we would take them to dinner and go swimming in the beautiful lake and then pay them for watching Max while we do our thing. I must be a great saleswoman because she said, "That sounds really fun!" She talked to her parents, decided to bring her sister and called me back to say yes. So then I left a message for Ty at work that I had a surprise for him. He was pretty excited too! I'm mentally back in the game. I am really excited to compete. I have go-aheads from 3 doctors (my bro-in-law Mark included). My OB told me that he just wants me to slow down to a brisk walk for part of the run. Everything else should be fine.

On Monday I leave for Girl's Camp (my wonderful mother-in-law is coming to watch Max while I'm away. This will be my first time being away from him for more than a date with Tyler - any words of emotional support to that end would be appreciated!) Then that Saturday, a week after the triathlon, I will be running a 4-mile race for our local Whaling Days with a few friends. Luckily they say that they are slow runners since I'll be needing to do some "brisk walking".

Bring it on! And I know fully that I am saying that to the pain and discomfort as well as the feelings of accomplishment and euphoria that come from doing something hard. Wish me luck!