This has been a long, grueling, emotional, and fulfilling journey. What started out as a whim ended up as a dedication to a family member, a few more friends, a few lessons on life, and a slimmer healthier body.
This week has been a withdrawal week for my teammates and I. We are sending out desperate emails to each other--What's next? Some are signing up for triathlons and runs in August and September. There's an open water swim race this Friday I'll probably go to. Some of us are swimming on Sunday mornings just to keep practicing together. One is starting her chemo treatments on Tuesday. One coach is coaching a triathlon team at Cycle University so there is possibilities there. And we've set a date for a reunion party.
Me? I feel great this week. I feel like I am 10-20 years younger than when I started training. No exaggeration. Before training, my back hurt. My knees hurt. My hips hurt. My ankles hurt. Sometimes alone, sometimes in an aching chorus. Now I just have that one nagging spot on my knee. I'm impatiently staying away from running until that hurt goes away. I'm doing my knee strengthening exercises and my stretching. I have another physical therapy appointment at the end of the month. I hope to start over again in running. And I believe I will most likely sign up for another Team in Training / Leukemia fundraiser next year.
This has been an amazing source of training, inspiration, and information. If you have the slightest interest in triathlons (or marathons for that matter), this is the way to go. Do it for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Do it for yourself.
