Monday, May 02, 2011

Interesting...Very Interesting

I'm sure if you have been following my blog for a while now you will know that I have this fascination with competitive triathlons. It was something I attempted to do last summer, but lacked the resources and support I needed in order to really go for it. I trained on a bike attached to a mount that kept it stationary and used a friend's treadmill, but after a few months of training indoors without any prospective guides in sight and no pool time, I began to think that completing a triathlon was out of the question. It was an idea that I never laid to rest though. I have a background in competitive swimming and really miss the physical/mental challenges and of course I miss the competition. Last summer, there was speculation that the Triathlon would be added to the Paralympics by 2016, but I never heard anything more about it; that is until a friend and I were sending emails back and forth and he told me the good news.
Triathlon has been added to the roster of 21 other sports available to disabled athletes at the 2016 Paralympic Games, scheduled to be held in Brazil. I was so excited that my hands shook when I emailed him back. This is what I have been waiting for. What was even better was that he gave me the contact information of a woman who has founded and runs a program dedicated to getting blind and visually impaired athletes involved in Triathlon, whether competitively or recreationally. I emailed her right away and we arranged a time to chat over the phone this Wednesday about what my needs may be and whether or not
Won With 1
will be able to assist me.
I was up front with this person and told her that I was moving to Scotland. The program works with Canadian athletes across Canada, but they have two guides in the United States and she thought that "with some digging," she may be able to find me a guide in Scotland. I can't say that I won't get too excited, because I already am, but as Mr. K and I discussed, I will have smaller goals-like becoming more fit-before I dive in and start training hard core.
We'll be moving to a new place and with that comes life responsibilities, like learning my way around and making sure Glacier is settling in. I will also have school duties and we are not entirely sure how intense my studies will be. Not to mention, I am still a wife who likes her husband and wants to spend time with him. So, with all of this in mind, I will have to move slower on this endeavor than I normally would, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I feel like I've waited long enough, since this was something I have been mulling over even before I retired from swimming, but if I take my time and enjoy the experience and make sure I can commit to it, then I am more likely to be successful.

7 comments:

L^2 said...

Very cool. I hope everything works out so you can do a triathlon sometime. I still think it sounds like a fun personal challenge.

pattib said...

With your realistic, yet "nagging" attitude, I'm sure you will be triathlon-ing in due time...and it will feel great! Keep us posted.

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hi Y'all,

Like all the other challenges that life has thrown your way, you'll figure this one out too.

Y'all take care now,
BrownDog's Momma

Kolchak Puggle said...

*very very cool* I am so impressed! G for it!

Andyandysh said...

Hey Jess,
That sounds so great! I was in Port Maquarie in Australia two days ago and saw the Australian Iron Man. Definitely inspiring!

Also, I drove through the Sydney Olympic Park and thought of you when I saw the aquatic centre!!

xoxo
Andy

Just Jess for now said...

L^2 Thanks. Maybe you should train with me. :)
P: LOL My "nagging" attitude seems to be always present when it comes to things like this. Thank you. :)
Brown Dog's Mama: Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I'm so glad you stop in to read.
Kole: I am so excited. :)
Andy: Wow...Australia. The place where my international career really took off. It's great to hear from you. Safe travels. *hug*

L^2 said...

Haha... I would love to train with you, but sadly, I would have a huge amount of catching up to do. I haven't swam regularly in almost 2 years now, and I haven't ran regularly in about 6 months, unless you count Jack's and my daily 3 mile sprint-like walks all over town. Maybe following your triathlon adventures will motivate me though. :)