I got to Tri harder
Topic: On the way to Triathlon
Not true to form of this "no fear here" blog, I am indeed afraid. A friend wants me to sign up for the international distance triathlon. I am having some trouble doing it. I am afraid.

I don't do the whole open water swim very well. I have endurance. I just mentally lose it when it comes to the open water. Apparently I do have a fear, and it's completely irrational. When I am in the pool, I know in my head that I can not drown, so long as I'm conscious. I can always just lay there and not move. I have a lot of fun in the water. I learned the "dolphin" over the fall months, and really enjoy swimming. I've got the endurance to roll out of bed and jump into the water and swim 3 miles or maybe more... I just can't do the open water deal. And in the races, people climb over you, splash you when you are taking a breath, and bump you accidentally, and may injure you. What then? Some races, not this one in particular, have few lifeguards, so there is a reasonable lack of full safety. But not in this race. There are a ton of people to help me out. Why is it that just typing about it makes my stomach turn? Why is it that I can't handle just doing it? I'll probably do it, but I make myself sick just thinking about it. I guess a lot of open water swims all summer might help cure some of it. I also guess that I am mostly afraid of losing my access to surface and air, and they allow... A snorkel. Come on, how can I be afraid of that? I am also embarrassed to try and swim with a snorkel, no one does that. It's allowed, but no one does it, no one seems to need it. Except for me. I am also afraid because I can't see without my contacts. When I'm swimming, if I lose my mask and my contacts come off, then I'm screwed. that's one thing that drives me nuts. If my mask comes off in the pool, I practically half drown myself every time! I need to overcome this fear. Fast.

The good news is that though my knee still hurts and is still swollen, a month later, I am back to running, and boy did I lose my endurance in that in 3 months. But not to worry, I know what to do and how to catch up.