Danelle, says I should drop the drop the brick wall and own what I am. After a bit if thought I have realized she is right. After all, I have worked my butt off all summer to reach a new pinnacle of health for myself, and even though I am stronger and have more endurance than ever before in my life, I am still working towards my goal. Here I am in all my sweaty triathlon glory, improved and still improving, and hey- I did a triathlon, I must rock.
This is me just after setting up my bike on the rack. I am greatly relieved that the whole racking system is not as confusing as I feared it would be, and also, so happy because I got a spot on the end.
The next shot is me just before the bike ride. I am feeling pretty good here because I was finished with the difficult swim, because the other participants were taking their time for the transition, and because changing just seemed so easy after how worried about it I had been.
This next shot was taken by the husband during the end of the bike ride. I am beat here from biking against the wind for 5 miles, the second half of the biking leg, and counting the seconds til I can get off my less than comfortable seat.
Finally on my feet. these walking photos are 1. me taken by Evan, 2. my personal cheering section taken by me, and 3. a self portrait crouching with the 2 mile marker.
My final three photos are 1. me making the arm gesture Evan said I had to make as I crossed the finish line 2. getting a fabulous gift of a hug from Matt, he is so very proud of his Mom, and 3. my group of hometown ladies, some of whom are incredibly dear to me.
Oh my gosh, these are terrific pictures! I love the 4th and 6th ones the best. I am WOMAN! Hear me ROAR!!!
I'm so envious - I've lost a pile of weight over the last 2 years but have no motivation to do anything physical at ALL. I wish I was in those pictures myself.
PS, I'm so glad you took what I said to heart, it's so much easier to encourage and build one another up when we know where you're coming from!
Posted by: danelle | September 21, 2005 at 11:10 AM
Bleh - 4th and 7th pictures that is.
Although #6 is great because it looks like you're saying "ha! mile one was *nothing!*"
Posted by: danelle | September 21, 2005 at 11:16 AM
Clickmom...you ROCK! Way to go!
Seriously, I only wish I had the strength and endurance to do that. You should be so proud of yourself.
Posted by: Becky | September 21, 2005 at 11:40 PM
clickmom, you DO rock! hooray for you! when i saw your photos, they immediately struck a familiar chord. i was exactly (!) where you are a decade ago- weighty issues, having given birth to #4, all the rest. i geared up for a series of small triathlons and enjoyed them totally. your healthy attitude about the whole business humbles me. i am so pleased that you finished standing up and lived to tell the tale! congratulations!
Posted by: chris | September 22, 2005 at 07:16 AM
I found you via your comment on Suburban Bliss, and I have to say that any woman who has finished a triathlon is like a GODDESS to me. (The most intense athletic competition I was ever in was a five-mile foot race!) I hope you let the fact that you accomplished this sink in and energize you. AMAZING!
Posted by: Sarah | September 22, 2005 at 01:35 PM
P.S. Now you need to change the subtitle of your blog to "triathlete" instead of "future triathlete"!
Posted by: Sarah | September 22, 2005 at 01:41 PM
congrats on the triathlon - you should be very proud...looks like you can take the "future triathlete" of your heading. You are a triathlete.
Posted by: Brian - hubby of Mar | September 27, 2005 at 05:48 PM