We don't have to be superheroes...

A solitary light cuts through the early morning fog.  A figure in reflective clothing flies through the darkness so fast it's impossible to even discern its features.  Several hours later, it's spotted churning through the water methodically, rhythmically, machinelike.  Sound like a gifted being from a superhero movie?  No, it's just your average triathlete logging her workout before the daily grind begins.

Sometimes it feels like we almost have to be superhuman to keep up with the demands of three sports and our day-to-day responsibilities.  After all, most of us didn't start our  endurance athlete careers by simultaneously deciding to take up swimming, biking, and running.  We all started somewhere specific.  For me, it was high school running,  As a good--but not stellar--runner, towards the end of my senior year I found myself beginning to ask, "Where do I go from here?" I did my first triathlon on a whim and ended up falling in love with the challenge of completing a multisport race.

Training as a triathlete, though, requires much more planning and patience than just training as a runner.  It's so easy to get discouraged and feel as though we're neglecting certain aspects of our workouts in our quest to become the ultimate well-rounded athlete.  "How many times did I swim this week?" we think, or "Have I been putting enough speedwork in on the bike?" Sometimes keeping up with it all results in us barely keeping our heads above water.

Though the learning curve is steep, novice triathletes often find it difficult to master new sports while maintaining their background skills.  In my case, some things came easier than others.  I took to the water well, and swimming soon became my next favorite thing to do besides running.  But cycling?  Well, let's be honest.  Cycling and I don't always see eye-to-eye.  Maybe it's  because I was born with the legs of a distance runner, or perhaps it's because I'm not used to being stuck in a fairly fixed position for extended periods of time.  Whatever the reason, it hasn't always been easy for me to get in a rhythm.  But then again, I don't do this because it's easy.

However difficult the going may become, it's important to remember that we don't have to be superhuman to succeed.  Sometimes endurance athletes are so stoic and self-sufficient that we believe accepting any kind of assistance is a sign of weakness when the opposite is actually true.  Those who aren't afraid to accept support are those who eventually achieve the highest levels of success.  The initial difficulty I had with riding somehow magically disappeared when I found myself cycling with my training partners--who also happen to be my best friends.  Sometimes it feels vulnerable to lean on others.  But the closeness our sport can foster is easily one of the best things about being a triathlete.  Today I got the chance to talk to two of the girls who've helped me realize that being a lone warrior isn't always the only strategy, and it dawned on me.  Yes, the feeling of personal accomplishment and victory when crossing the finish line of a race you've trained hard for is almost irreplaceable.  But there is one thing better than that feeling of victory: sharing it.

A poem and an update...

Broken...
Is what our bodies are when we go too far.
Is what our records must be, to move forward.
Is what we strive for our spirits not to be.
Is the tape by a frantically leaning torso.
Is how our hearts feel when our legs fail us.
Is that old time in a dark morning race.
Is what our bikes are after that fateful crash.
Is what we hope to preserve our sanity from.
The only way to live is passionately.
To do that some things must be broken.

I guess the side note to this poem is that I think I've finally found the reason behind my lingering foot problems.  Today I went for my 4th--possibly 5th--doctor's visit regarding this issue, hoping to finally shed some light on why I've continued to have pain.  The answer is simple, and I suppose not so surprising considering my history: my feet's biomechanics are flawed.  The fancy scientific term is dynamic hallux limitus, which basically means that the structure of my joints is such that when my foot is loaded with weight, it has an extremely limited range of motion.  This places undue amounts of stress on that first metatarsal-phalangeal joint and the forefoot in general.  My abnormal joint structure also predisposes me to stress fractures.  Not so shocking, considering I suffered that fate almost three years ago.

So what now? Where do I go from here? My feet are my lemons; they always have been.  Fortunately there are things I can do.  Running still probably isn't the best idea until I receive my custom orthotics, which should take significant stress off the vulnerable parts of my feet.  Ice, natural and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory remedies, and metatarsal pads should help me slowly heal as well. The good news is that for now I can still be two-thirds of a triathlete, and with a little more time I should be three for three.  If the pain is stubborn, I can turn to a steroid injection at the site to help alleviate it.  But that's a last resort.  The bottom line is that it's going to take a supernatural force to keep me away from what I love.  I'm a fighter.

What does your favorite color (spandex) say about you?

As female triathletes, what we wear to train is just as important to us as what we wear going out.  After all, training is what we spend the majority of our time doing: it's when we socialize and gossip, and it's how we unwind after a stressful day. Guys, chances are that when you meet us, we're typically attired in sports bras, running shorts, and sneakers.  This may be confusing for those savvy gentlemen who are used to sizing up girls based on their outfits, make-up, and hair.  But fear not! Out of the goodness of her heart, yours truly has created this helpful decoder.  Who knows, it might just come in handy next time you try to hit on that girl that just flew by you on the sidewalk (HEYYY BABY!!) 


Running Gear Decoder Guide (Finally, no more confusion!)
*The one in the black Nike running shorts: Says "I'm classy, ambitious, and driven." Put-together and analytical, this girl is committed to her routine and practical.  Peel back her layers, though, and you'll discover there's more to her than meets the eye.


*The one wearing the quirky high socks: This girl is saying, "I'm fun, I'm funky, and I could care less what you think."  She's funny, honest and always up for new adventures.


*The one in the blindingly bright shoes: "Look at my feet. Guess what? I'm fast, probably faster than you."  She's confident, motivated, high-energy, and goes after what she wants.


*The one in the neon spandex: This girl believes in the philosophy "if you've got it, flaunt it" and never fails to capitalize on an opportunity to do just that.  Everybody's looking at her? Even better.  She's an attention seeker, an exhibitionist, and a wild card. Think you've got her figured out? Think again.


*The one who always matches: She's a girly girl, but don't let that fool you.  Underneath her perfectionistic exterior is a girl who's clever and always one step ahead.  She's charming and adept at dealing with people, and if you're not careful, she'll have you eating out of her hand.


So guys, there you have it.  The only thing I ask is that you use this information wisely.  After all, I wouldn't want to have to unleash my inner "neon spandex" on you ;-)