100th Post!

Well, since this is my 100th post, I'd better try to make it good. ;)

It's funny how things have happened over the last year, since I began this blog on Nov. 19, 2006. I've grown stronger. I've gained confidence. On the road and in the pool, I've learned more about myself than I think I have in a long time. I'm more keenly aware of my weaknesses -- and driven to obliterate them. Further, I'm more familiar with -- and frankly surprised by -- my strengths, some of which I didn't even know I had.

As you may recall, my first triathlon, the one I began this blog to report on, ended badly for me, giving me a taste of the lows of the sport right off the bat. Looking back, I remain both traumatized by and thankful for the way that ended. I needed to be knocked down a few pegs, I think. I'll admit that I went into that triathlon with skyrocketing hopes and fears for -- gasp! -- NOT breaking the two-hour mark. Getting disqualified less than 10 minutes into the race certainly brought me back to Earth. Unfortunately, it's also give me an irrational fear of the swim, which I'll spend my offseason working to combat.

But then things turned around.

My first 10K, the Race to Stop the Silence, was great. For the first time in my life, I did a road race, and I finished, wobbly legs and all. That was followed two weeks later by the Worldgate Super Sprint Triathlon, which within two hours handed me the lifelong label of triathlete.

Triathlete. Dude, think of that for a minute. For the rest of my life, I am a triathlete. Nobody can take that away from me, not now, not ever.

My first completed tri was followed in short order by the Capitol Hill Classic, which I'm really looking forward to running again next year if it doesn't interfere with the Columbia Triathlon (I've already signed up, so I'm committed). I shaved several minutes off my 10K time and felt much, much better throughout the race!

June brought with it the Tri-to-Win Triathlon in Westminster, Md. The rolling hills brought me to my knees and the heat emanating from the asphalt during the 5K run made me see mountains where there were none (seriously), but I finished it -- and learned the joys of a post-race watermelon slice. Denise and I competed together and we both had a blast (though she beat me ... darn her! ;)).

The Iron Girl Columbia took place in August, and with it came a bout with some flu-like ailment that left me medically ineligible to participate. After four good races, I hit another snag, but I didn't feel nearly as bad about that one as I did the Red Hills debacle. It's funny how things work out sometimes.

In September I raced the New Orleans Rebirth 5K and finished right at pace. While training for a marathon, I found the 5K to be a delightful break. :)

And that leads us to October, where I'm staring down the barrel of the Marine Corps Marathon, which is only a mere few weeks away. I am both pumped up and terrified for what will greet me on race day, but regardless of the challenges, I know I can handle it. I am now a triathlete. I am now a runner. I know all about the benefits of hard training and good racing. I know there's no substitute for crossing that finish line, in whatever time, in whatever physical fashion. And so -- OO-RAH! -- I am ready to compete.

My 20-miler is behind me now, leaving me with several days' worth of aches and pains. The taper begins today. By the end of Sunday, Oct. 28, I will, God willing, have completed my first marathon. Maybe I'll complete it in my five-hour goal time. Maybe I'll complete it in half a day. I don't care about the time. I just want to finish.

So, 100 posts after my first one back in November 2006, here I am, nearly a full race season later. I've come through the fire and become stronger with every week of training, every race experience. There will still be lows mixed in with the highs. But I can handle them.

And I'll have a ton of fun along the way.

:)