There are a lot of things that we don't like to do and there are a lot of things that we don't like to do. However, there are very few things that we don't like to do that we like to do. Let me explain.
I am not a very great athlete. It seems that I can either hold my own or flat out stink at various sports. As a kid, I loved baseball and could field like a champ, however, I couldn't hit that stinking leather ball if my life depended on it. so that was out. I tried tennis and had the endurance to play 6 sets if i wanted to. The problem was, I would lose 0-6 unless my opponent fell over dead. I was that bad. Then i tried swimming and i was really good at it. I was fast and i could go all day. The problem was, I hated it. I loved competing. I loved winning. I just hated practicing every day. In college, I boxed on the amateur level for a little while and was pretty good (but in that sport, you could fly a plane between the line between good and very good) However, while training for boxing, i realized for the first time in my life that i was a very good runner. I could dominate the casual runner on a 3 miles course. Problem: I hate running.
When i saw that the Triathalon is coming back to Galveston (ironmanlonestar.com) this weekend, I started thinking about how dedicated these folks are to do all of the training and hard work. What goes through these people's minds? Why would they put themselves through all of this training for a t-shirt? How hard do they have to work? Well, some of these question were answered by my triathlete friend, (and by the way, triathlete winner!) Betty Massey.
Betty said that she started running when she was 48 and ran 11 marathons between 2000 and 2006. After retiring from distance running, and being too competitive in nature to stop, she now does triathalon sprints. Here you swim .5 mile, bike for 12 miles and run a 5K. She trains for the triathalons by keeping in shape and then, 8 weeks in advance of the event, she does "two a days" combining two of the three sports training in one day.
One thing I always wondered about was why a triathalon started with the swim. I wouldn't want to get out of the water and jump right on a bike for the chaffing factor. I have asked this question to a few people and the best answer i get is something about fatigue and drowning factor which i suppose offers some merit.
This weekend's Ironman Lonestar festivities will bring 6000 people from every state and around the world to the island. So whether you're into sports or not, it should be a celebrated event in that it brings revenue and exposure to the island and island businesses.
So pretty much, from my competitive nature, this is the event for me. All three things that i hate and am good at all wrapped up into one event that equals a 2 hour vomit fest. I should start training for 2011 now! BTW, if you are signed up for this tomorrow's sprint event, don't get your hopes up on being the first across the ribbon.
Betty Massey: "I intend to win!"
