I Can and I Will:
Triathlons and Body Image
Since moving to Utah and working at Cahoots Fitness, I've always wanted to join their Triathamom team. I've always stayed within in the confines of "Artistic Sports & Exercises" (Dance, Figure Skating, Barre Fitness, Zumba and etc), so focusing on high intensity aerobic activities like swimming, biking and running, were waaaay out of my comfort zone. For the first few years I didnt participate because I was either pregnant or still within the first few months of breastfeeding. But this was my year, the stars aligned and I knew it was the right time to sign up for my first Triathlon.
Triathamom is a fully supported, non-competitive, women only triathlon. That means I signed up for a 300 meter swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 5k run. It wouldn't be a complete triathlon experience without chip timing, body marking, and the intense feeling of accomplishment as I cross the finish line. Another reason why I chose this race was because of the Carnival Style Cheering Section they provide for your family during the race. They have a ‘sign making station’, bounce house, face painting, inflatable slide, cotton candy, and everything to keep my littles entertained while I was complete my first race.
Monday: 9am Barre, 8pm Barre, 9pm Swim laps
Tuesday: 9am Barre, 4pm 8 Mile Bike ride
Wednesday: 10am Barre, 1pm walk/jog, 8pm Swim
Thursday: 12 Mile Bike ride
Friday: Morning Yoga, 5 Mile Bike ride
Saturday: 8 Mile Family Bike ride
Looking back at this schedule, it seems pretty insane. Even now, I don't really know how I did it. I remember scheduling my workouts everyday and having to work hard with my husband to coordinate babysitting and times he was available so I could train. But despite the singularity of training for such an individual sport, I was able to include my family in a lot of my workouts. I have fond memories of 8 mile bike rides every Saturday morning. Swimming laps around my kids in the pool, and attempting jogs with the double stroller. Which unless you've got a B.O.B. I would not recommend. Man that was tough, I really don't care for running and having to push my kids along with me was the straw that broke the camels back. If I had to run, I did it after my kids went down for bed. But even then I was scowling with every step I took.
"I did not wake up like this. I changed my lifestyle for this. I workout late for this. I changed what I ate for this. I sweat for this. I cried for this. I lift heavy for this. I workout everyday for this. I made this, and this is worth it."
But do you know what? By challenging myself to train for a Triathlon I learned alot about patience and respecting my body. Too often I take for granted the body I've been given and the miraculous gift that is a breathing and functioning form. In dance we strive for perfection, the smaller the frame the better. The longer the lines, the closer the dancer is to perfection. One must be strong yet small, petite yet powerful. Dance on your toes, squeeze the abdomen in, chin up and smile. Lengthen out past the body without filling the space with your body. It's been drilled in my head for so long, its hard to remember that these ideas about the human form are not applicable in every circumstance. After having children, I grew to respect and trust my body to create, sustain and care for the life of my children. The desire to be thin and long, weren't constant companions in my day to day affairs. I was able to finally relax and enjoy the body I have been given. I breastfed my daughter for 16 months and and for the first time in my life felt like I had a balanced and healthy relationship with my body. I was successfully breastfeeding, teaching Barre and training for my Triathlon. I was never as strong or secure in my health as I was at this time in my life. I gained weight, muscle and confidence...and that meant more to me then any number on the scale.
"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't."
Race day finally came on August 19th, 2017. I was up by 4am and ready to go. The reassuring thing about this race was its an all female non competitive Tri. Meaning I could go as fast or as slow I needed to, without feeling pressure to perform at a fitness level I wasn't comfortable with. It was the perfect Triathlon to start with. I met up with my Cahoots Fitness friends and together we settled our bikes and gear in the Transition zone then headed off to the swim portion of the race. I was a bundle on nerves and had to visit the restrooms more then once before the Tri began. The nervous poo's were in full effect that morning.
Alongside the edges of the pool where we were to start our swim portion, over 500 women gathered round for the opening ceremonies. We came in all shapes, sizes and skill levels. At one point we were asked to echo this affirmation, "I am enough, I am strong, I am a Mother, I am a Triathlete", I was overwhelmed with emotion. I cried and felt this amazing connection within this community of women! Though I was surrounded by strangers, I felt more at home with this group of women then I have in a long time. We all have unique backgrounds, fitness levels and varying degrees of experience with Triathlons, but we were all together in this one action... to make it across the finish line. We were of one of heart and mind, this race was not about competing with the girl next to you, it was about competing with yourself. Training to be the best version you could possibly be.
I went up a level in the swim, and I'm so glad I did. I finished my 300 meter swim in 7 minutes and that alone made all the difference in my over all timing. I took 2 1/2 minutes in transition and hoped on my bike and started the 12 mile ride along the Jordan river. I raced on my husbands Mt. Bike, but trust me when I say that if you sign up for a Triathlon, invest in a Tri bike. Thats my one regret, despite training so hard, I just couldn't go as fast as the other racers. I didn't anticipate the hills, and I almost added 6 minutes to my time because of my slower pace. But honestly I cant complain, my bike was in good condition and got me from point A to point B in one piece. I saw several triathletes on the side of the trail trying to patch their tires or even worse, receive medical attention for bike collisions. Finally I came to the home stretch, the 5k sprint. I had to recite my mantra over and over again in my head, I can do hard things. I can do hard things. Slow and steady wins the race and I promised myself that it didn't matter how slow I went, as long as I never stopped I would be happy. I had to keep going.So I did. Just like Dory, I had to tell myself to keep on swimming. Despite the heat, endless switchbacks, and the exhaustion...I wouldn't give up. As I ran up the last switchback and saw the crowd begin to grow, I grew in my excitement. I pumped my legs harder and launched into the final push. I saw the Finish line approaching and suddenly I heard my name being chanted from the crowd. My beautiful family was cheering me on, and as I looked at their happy faces I was overcome with emotion. I crossed the finish line in tears. Happy, wonderful tears. I did the impossible, I completed my Triathlon.
Complete Stats
Total Time: 1:34:54.1
Splits
Swim Time: 7:14.3
T1 Time: 2:35.1
Bike Time: 49:04.3
T2 Time: 0:44.5
Run Time: 35:15.7
AG POS
16 of 48 (F 25-29)
Finish POS
166 of 417
I'm incredibly proud of myself and what I accomplished this summer. I never thought I could do something so physically demanding and intense, but do you know what? If I did it once, I can do it again! I hope to make this Triathlon a new tradition! I loved how I could incorporate my children into my training and lead by example the importance of living a happy and healthy life. Taking the time to care for my physical and mental health was more beneficial to my overall happiness then anything I've ever done. Refocusing my goals and changing my lifestyle helped me become a better wife, mother, and friend. I hope I can always keep the spirit of the race with me as I go about my life. In the short months of training, I learned more about the human spirit and the mantra "Mind over Matter", then any other physical activity Iv'e ever done. I can do hard things...I can and I will.
“Mind over matter represents the triumph of will over physical hindrance. Our thoughts are our weapon against the world."- David Adam
If you want anymore information about The Triathamom race or are interested in learning more about Triathlons in your area, check out the links below:
"Motherhood is hard. We give all we can to those little ones. It's true that sometimes we give so much that we forget about the giver. Us. We forget to take care of us and to do things that make us proud to be us. I truly believe that as mothers, we should model what we want for our children." Aly, the founder of Triathamom Utah.
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