Riding on the Crazy Train

It’s official, I am riding on the crazy train!  Ozzy Osbourne is the conductor and I am holding on for dear life to the caboose.  The Monticelloman Olympic Triathlon is a little over two months away and I am starting from SCRATCH with my swimming.  Yes, you read that correctly, I am starting from scratch. 

The first time I met with my swim coach she asked me to swim down the lane.  After she saw my interpretation of swimming, she decided that I should start with the basics.  After doing a few laps of drills, I decided I needed to tell her that I had signed up for the Monticelloman Olympic.  So I took a break and told her.  She looked at me, started laughing, and said, “We have a lot of work to do.”  Surprisingly I felt relieved.  I just knew she was going to tell me I wouldn’t be able to do the race.  So here I am behind the 8 ball.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about not finishing the swim portion of the Monticelloman.  There is a 50 minute time limit for the 0.9 mile swim.  Swimming is my weakest discipline.  My breathing can be sporadic, I kick frantically, and I have the occasional panic attack.  I have been “swimming” 3 days per week since November, and here I am starting over, having to unlearn bad habits and quickly learn new ones.  I am always up for a challenge, but this one has me shaking in my boots, or in this case, shaking in my fins. 

Even though the odds are stacked against me, I am determined to be a viable competitor at the Monticelloman.  What I may lack in natural ability I make up in heart, determination, and hard work.  I have the support of my husband, family, friends and TRIgirl/TRIquest coaches and teammates.  My swim coach is one of the best and is willing to give me her best as a coach.  Lastly, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

So I am riding the crazy train all the way to the Monticelloman, and I am not to letting go until I make it to the finish line.  Choo-choo……..