motivation

The triathlon, my first ever, is in less than a week. Realistically, there isn't much left for me to do, in terms of training. Either I can swim 1500 metres, cycle 40 kilometres, and run 10 more, or I can't. One more week of training will make next to no difference. And yet I'm utterly consumed by this project. I can't seem to turn off the push toward the finish line. I was afraid of this.

Nine months ago, I decided I would like to train and compete in a triathlon. And in a couple weeks, I will stand trembling at the start of my first triathlon: ready to swim 1500 metres, cycle forty kilometres, and end with a ten kilometre run to the finish line. If you've been following my journey so far, you'll know that I am a) an amateur b) the mother of four young children and c) have never attempted anything like this in my entire life. So maybe you're wondering: Why a triathlon?

By setting a larger goal, and then breaking that down into smaller achievements you can check off as you do them, you'll hit your fitness stride in no time.

I spent an hour in the pool this morning, swimming laps. Since January, I've been swimming twice a week, arriving at the pool when it opens. You might imagine the pool to be a quiet place at 5:45 in the morning, but there are a dedicated number of regulars who take pleasure in starting their day with a swim.

How a woman who had always thought she could never be an athlete proved herself wrong