In high school I played basketball all four years, practically all year round. Travel basketball was great because my whole family went to each game, so not only did it build friendships with my buddies on the team, but our families all got close too.
My freshman year at college I wasn’t playing basketball anymore, and I started to gain the dreaded “freshman 15”. I hadn’t realized that basketball practice was what kept my weight in check, so I was confused as to how I was gaining the weight when I was eating the same amount I always had. My roommate was a serious runner, swimmer, and cyclist, so when I asked him if he was having the same problem he laughed and told me I needed to “get moving”. He invited me to go for a run with him, which at that time sounded like as much fun as shoving a stick in my eye, but I did it. After that first attempt at running, he made me a schedule along the lines of the popular “Couch to 5K” plans, and I was running 3 miles by Thanksgiving. That was the goal as he also made me sign up for a Turkey Trot to keep me focused. Once I ran with everyone in the race I realized how much fun it had become to run.
For the Spring semester, my roommate increased my training to include the stationary bike as well as the treadmill and outside running. In just a few months I was not only able to lose the weight I had gained, but also able to drop the extra weight I had initially come to college with and I had really toned up.
In our Sophomore year we weren’t roommates because he had decided to take an RA position, but we still got together for runs and going to the gym on off days and when the weather was bad. He encouraged me to start swimming with him, which again I thought was pure craziness initially. In February of this year we started my training for my first triathlon. Again he had me sign up for one early so I would stay committed to my goal.
A couple of weeks ago I completed my first triathlon and I could not have imagined how accomplished it made me feel. It was definitely different swimming with my wave, than swimming in my own lane in the pool or even when we trained at the lake. It was a little overwhelming to have everyone’s arms and legs flailing around me as I tried to swim, but then I focused and made it for that near ½ mile swim. Transition time was tricky struggling with my wet suit but soon I was on my bike; my competitive edge kicked in as I pushed to cycle past the other riders during the 16 mile bike ride. Transition time to the run was tougher than during training, probably because I pushed so hard on the bike ride. Once my legs stopped feeling wobbly I ran a comfortable pace until the last half mile of the 3.1 mile course. As I got to that point of having ½ mile left, I saw my family and a few buddies along the side; they were clapping and cheering me in and I couldn’t believe the energy that gave me. I started to really pick up the pace and I sprinted across the finish line. It was such a great experience that I can’t wait to “tri” again next year.
