When you look at me you don’t instantly think ATHLETE. When I first tell someone I’m a triathlete, without fail, they survey my body head to toe and I see it register on their face: Really? It’s true, I don’t have single digit body fat or hard, toned, ripplely muscles. I look like the girl next door. More like the girl next door who likes her cake. And I do love me some cake.
Growing up, I was the kid picked last in gym class for kickball. The girl who played in the far outfield on the youth group softball team. On the rare occasion the ball actually came my direction, I’d lift my mitt high in the air and shield my face. Not once did I catch a ball that way. It’s safe to say I don’t have hand-eye coordination. You do not want me on your team for any sport that involves a ball. What I do have is a particular set of skills that make me perfect for triathlon. I’m disciplined. Determined. Downright stubborn. Basically, I’m Type A. In college I took a personality profile quiz that gave results in terms of TV show characters…I was Monica from Friends. If it’s in my blood to be fanatical, why not harness that for good?
I first heard of this glorious multi-sport in 2005. I was in awe that people could push their bodies to the limit. To train and compete in such grueling conditions was mind blowing. In 2006, I joined a new bible study and met a girl who did triathlons. After hearing her story I was beyond impressed. She seemed normal enough and yet did abnormal things with her body. How cool for her. I could NEVER do that. I mean, I didn’t know how to swim. I hadn’t been on a bike since I was 12. I could barely even run a mile.
I had no idea how my life was about to change. Turns out another girl in that bible study did triathlons as well. My college roommate started talking about wanting to do a triathlon. My work formed a training group for first time triathletes. The stars had aligned. My course had been set. The time was now.
I showed up to the first swim practice…OK…lesson. The instructor instructed us to “see the fishies” and “hear the fishies” while demonstrating proper stroke form and breathing. We entered the pool. Our assignment: swim 4 laps. I almost drowned on the first and shamelessly doggy paddled the remaining three. My triathlete friend from bible study took my college roommate and me bike shopping. She said we needed that, that and that. So we each bought that, that and that. Yes, folks, we are the biking Bobbsey twins. We have the same bike, same helmet, same shoes, same gloves, same…well you get the point. The test drive in the parking lot of the bike shop was terrifying. That was my first time on a bike in 15 years. Developing my running legs was a torturous experience. I fancied myself a “runner” in college. I was a sophomore the first time I ever ran a mile. I kept it up and eventually ran 4 miles…one time…on a treadmill…in an air conditioned room. After that crowning achievement, my interested in running waned. Fast forward 7 years, I had to start from scratch.
In 2007, I completed my first Sprint Tri. I felt like King Kong on steroids. 2008, my first Olympic. 2009, my first Half Ironman. 2010, nada. I took the year off. And that brings us to 2011 and my first Ironman.
2.4 mile ocean swim
112 mile bike
26.2 mile run
I am often asked “in one day?” Yes, in one day. Yes, without stopping. Yes, I’m insane. Yes, I will cross that finish line and hear the 6 sweetest words: NICOLE MOONEYHAN, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!
I invite you to join me on this incredible journey that will undoubtedly push me to my limits and beyond.
 |
| After my first Sprint Triathlon in 2007 |
No comments:
Post a Comment