i.did.it

I did it.

I just ran my first triathlon.

Now, I am prone to second guessing myself after races. What if I hadn't gone out so fast on the swim? What if my goggles hadn't fogged up? What if I had been better prepared for the hills?

What if...

But all the "what ifs" only discount the "actually happeneds." What actually happened is that I competed in my first every multi-sport event. What happened is for the first time I swam 500 meters without stopping. What happened is I biked 10 miles with a purpose. What happened is that even when I felt like walking, I kept running. What happened is that I finished...and I actually feel great.

The morning was full of anxiety and lots of energy and excitement. As an all women event, it was awesome to be among so many motivated women--and to see so many shapes and sizes out there competing not against one another (well, some were), but against (and for) their very selves. So many women feeling strong enough and confident enough to wear swimsuits in front of one another with no makeup and not caring how their hair looked bulging under their swim caps--that's an amazing and inspiring picture.

I love events like this not just for the sport but for the energy and spirit of it all. This is why I run. This is why I bike. This is why I swim. There's a journey in all of this--these sports aren't just a way to stay in shape or earn a finisher's medal--they're a way to connect, to feel empowered, to build confidence, to feel strong. In a world where so many mixed messages about what it means to be strong and beautiful bombard us, especially women and girls, it's events like these that remind me that those messages are only as potent as we allow them to be.

I did it. I swam. I biked. I ran.

And now... I'm ready for some chocolate chip pancakes... :)