Travel Drought...

Although my initial idea and intent of creating a blog was to document and share travels, adventures, and experiences...I got so caught up in the excitement of exploration, the actual title of my blog slipped my mind! As interesting (and abundant) as travel blogs are, I have failed to remind myself that TWO other (pretty major) passions of mine are LIVING and EATING! Granted, I'm not going to fill my blog with a plethora of stories about my life that could be better kept in a personal journal...and certainly won't dive into the world of food blogging and photography...but I will gladly share some of my favorite dishes and toot my own horn when necessary ;)

So during this economic recession and TEMPORARY travel drought I've been forced to accept, I am taking some time to check off a life goal, which I DO believe is worthy of documentation! (Sidenote in regards to my favorite dishes: Shawn and I have a list of restaurants to check out as often as our finances allow; so while I've got much to report from the 'foodie side' of this blog,that will remain on the back burner for now....

-August 15th, 2010. YWCA Women's Triathlon-

I think the first time I gave any kind of serious thought to dabbling in the exhilerating world of triathlons was when I was in the middle of running my first marathon and thinking to myself how absolutely crazy I was for signing up to run 26.2 miles, and that from that point on I would only do half marathons and give triathlons a try. Well, as most marathon runners can relate, when I crossed that finish line, I was already mentally signed up for a marathon the following year. However, the goal of completing a triathlon didn't diminish and with the motivation and excitement from my mom, to try one together, I decided it was time. Knowing full well that the measley 500 yrd swim would haunt me until 'the big day', I did my homework and swam laps at the gym weekly, for a good two months. It wasn't until I had to share a lane with someone, (looking like a novice swimmer on the verge of drowning due to the 'waves' the other swimmer created), did I realize that a pool was NOTHING like a lake. My back-up plan was to do the doggy paddle or side-stroke the entire 500 yards!

The big day came, and due to an injury my mom was out of commision so it was up to me to ride this challenge solo and give it my best shot. Beautiful day to swim, bike, and run...but as my nerves started to get the best of me, I would've happily bypassed the whole thing and go grab some coffee. My mom, Meg, and Shawn were all there to cheer me on, which was very encouraging...I just hoped they wouldn't be able to track me doggy paddling in the water!
The swim was, in fact, JUST as hard and scary as I imagined! After the initial run into the water, and swallowing a few liters of Lake Nokomis, I couldn't help but laugh at myself and how I ever thought training in a pool could resemble swimming in a lake surrounded by 50+ people! Needless to say, I used pretty much every stroke BUT the crawl to make my way around the buoys, trudge out of the water, and through the line up of loudly cheering strangers. What a rush!!


The bike was beautiful, but I was so happily distracted by the feelings of relief from completing the swim, it was more of a joyride than a leg of a race! Luckily my strongest point, running, was the final event and I made up for the lolligagging on the bike. It was an amazing feeling to finish my first triathlon, and I can say with the utmost certainty that it was the birth of yet another passion and hobby! I must also note the humbling feelings of 'awe' as women of all ages and sizes crossed that finish line. It sure is refreshing to see so many people taking on, and accomplishing a personal goal!