I am a triathlete.

Jul 17, 2013 | 7 comments

Since my plans for the Chicago Marathon fell through (I’m running Jacksonville instead) I’ve been feeling disjointed. One minute, I can’t wait to pound out a ten mile run and the next minute all I want to do is spend lots of time with my new bike.
For the longest time I’ve really, truly only considered myself a runner who dabbled in triathlons. I know that sounds crazy considering I’ve completed more than a handful of triathlons, including a half ironman, but somewhere along the line someone mentioned that a real triathlete is strong in all three disciplines. They aren’t just waiting to get to the run, a la’ me. And they actually enjoy cycling and swimming. Thus, I’ve never really called myself a triathlete. “I’m a runner who completes triathlons,” I would say.

But lately….

I’ve been feeling more and more like a triathlete. My cycling has gotten significantly better, even if my mental game still needs some work. And, yes, I know, I have said it a billion times, I love swimming. Currently, I really enjoy cycling. In fact, I can’t really say that I love running more than the other two right now. It’s sort of like how your mom says she loves all you kids equally but in different ways. And while that may be a big fat lie sometimes (don’t act like you don’t have a favorite!), I understand it.

I’m so tri-brained right now that I was convinced to add another triathlon to next weekend’s line up. That would be one sprint on Saturday and one sprint on Sunday. I’m sure that will prove to be a terrible idea come Sunday when I can’t climb the stairs to our bedroom or open my eyes on Monday morning. I’m also sure that I am going to have a great time spent with friends all wearing spandex, doing what we love: swimming, biking, AND running.

Yes, I am still going to run the Jacksonville Marathon and train my ass off for it but I think I’ll be much more inclined to use those cross training days than I would have in the past. And when I finish that race, I’ll still be a discombobulated runner, but if and when the question comes up again about my multi-discipline loves, I’ll be happy to say, “I am a triathlete.”

7 Comments

  1. it's all about pace
    it's all about pace on July 17, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    I'm so happy about your new love…

    and looking forward to the Jax Marathon too… hopefully we'll get a chance to meet in person.

  2. Jason
    Jason on July 17, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    Well you know where I stand on your new love…..triathlon all the way!

    I am two months removed from IMTX and I am still not convinced to run a stand-alone marathon and that tells me that I am a triathlete.

    Cycle On.

  4. Kat @ Sneakers and Fingerpaints
    Kat @ Sneakers and Fingerpaints on July 17, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    I think we all go through ebs and flows of what we love to do – and sometimes runnings is monotonous and demanding and I fight with it too! I want to be a superhero dangit!

  5. JC Harris
    JC Harris on July 18, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    The thing with triathlon is that no one comes from a triathlon background. We are so diverse in the disciplines. Some of us were cyclists first. Others (most) were runners like you. And even some were swimmers like Kelly-Ann Jenkins or Sarah Quesen. There are even some who come from other backgrounds, like football as I do. That's what makes triathlon so cool in my head. The other thing I like about it is that it is at the same time both an individual sport and a team sport. I struggled with calling myself a "triathlete" for awhile because, to put it bluntly, I kinda suck at it, but KC always corrects me when I get on that mind set. Over the last three years I have seen my weakness, swimming, almost become my strength. Probably because body weight is neutralized in the water and my background as a linebacker in football, which emphasized upper body strength, is put to good use. Much more than the other disciplines.

    Like you, I am now a triathlete, although a Fat Slow one. 🙂

  6. BabyWilt
    BabyWilt on July 18, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    Brilliant to mix it up and keep the love going; enjoy 🙂

  7. Laura Anderson
    Laura Anderson on July 18, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Love it! I've said it a million times and still feel like a running in disguise with tri's even this past weekend at my first 70.3, I was a runner. My swim was good, my bike was slow (thanks to a flat), and my run was slower than planned but that was when I was really passing people and smiling…"I am runner".

    You are an incredible athlete, runner, triathlete, whatever…you do awesome at it all!

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