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May 10, 2006
Humble Pie
There is something about the guy at the bike store that always makes me feel stupid. While I don't think he's trying to make me feel dumb, I usually do by the time I leave the store. Now granted he is Mr. Ironman himself - 3 time Ironman finisher, and he owns and operates a triathlon store - while I am Miss-Roam-Around-The-Store-And-Wonder-What-Things-Even-Are, but still. He's very nice and always willing to answer questions - but perhaps it's how he answers them, with a smirk sort of - like thinking "you have no idea what you are doing and I know it" type of deal? Who knows. I just need to accept the fact that I have a lot to learn about triathlons, triathlon gear, triathlon training, etc...and it's going to take a while. It truly is humbling to take up a new sport. I've really only ever done one sport so learning new things isn't my forte. I tend to stick to things I know and try to get better and better and better at them. So I think this triathlon business is good for me!
Speaking of humbling experiences, I have decided that I am going to swim tomorrow morning with the PItt Masters Swim Team. There - I've said it - now I have to go! I've been mulling it over since the weekend and I figured I might as well give it a try. It can't hurt. If I totally embarass myself and I'm way out of my league - I just won't go back and will probably never see those people again! :) I actually went to check out the pool today, just so I would know how to get to it tomorrow morning and it's pretty awesome. But I got a little scared when I saw that it's 25 yds one way and 50 yds the other way. It was set up for 25 yds today but I got to wondering - what if it's 50 yds tomorrow? I don't even know enough to know if that would be harder or easier?! Maybe faster because less turns but lots harder with much fewer breaks. Oh dear - sometimes what I wouldn't give to just be a runner again! :)
Anyway, today after I stopped at the bike store (to drop my bike off for it's 30 day maintenance), I drove to the YMCA to lift. And I called it a day after that. Gotta rest up for the big swim tomorrow morning! :)
Posted by beth at May 10, 2006 5:52 PM
Comments
It must be something about bike/tri-shop guys because I feel the same way when I go to mine. They are always very courteous and helpful but I just feel kind of awkward and stupid and can't wait to get out of there!
Posted by: Dawn at May 10, 2006 9:33 PM
If it is well cooked, with wholesome and fresh ingredients, Humble Pie can be nutritious and tasty. All the power to you for challenging yourself physically while having the courage to start all over again. Maybe it's not so much feeling dumb as "young" and/or "inexperienced." But isn't that great? It's like turning the clock back... happy endorphines, corrado
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at May 11, 2006 5:03 AM
What about the summer at PSU that you were on the IM Champion Co-ed softball team? That was a new sport you were pretty successful at. You were our star catcher and you sure could fly down the first base line with that 10k speed training!!!
Posted by: O at May 11, 2006 6:36 PM
Very funny Big Man. Let me just remind you of the time you went swimming with me and you flailed around and begged for the lane next to the wall so you could hold on for dear life!
(In case you couldn't tell - O was being very sarcastic about my softball skillz. He was the coach of said softball team and actually endangered me, his soon to be wife, by making me CATCHER! Do you know how hard they throw the ball at you when you are the catcher?!)
Posted by: Beth at May 11, 2006 6:40 PM
I'll be the first to admit I sink in a pool. That's why Beth hasn't ever mentioned me training in the pool with her. :) I think it goes back to my fear of drowning in elementary school....
Back to softball, I just dug out Beth's stats from the team Excel sheet (yes, I did keep stats in Excel of a summer IM softball team--I am a computer nerd) and she hit a robust .273 (6/22) for the summer with 6 runs scored and 2 runs batted in over 8 games. I have to admit I was a little fearful when people were throwing the ball home for a play at the plate.
Posted by: O at May 11, 2006 6:44 PM
Okay, first things first - everyone sinks in the pool if they fail to (A) kick their legs and (B) move their arms.
Number 2 - Yes, we are sitting next to each other writing comments back and forth.
Number 3 - I will admit after the first ball got thrown to the plate and I *tried* to catch it, I quickly developed a new strategy. It was MUCH safer to let the ball fly past me (I usually had to get out of the way first) and then chase it down, sometimes much farther than I wanted to run, but nonetheless, I still have my head intact to my body. So there.
Posted by: Beth at May 11, 2006 6:48 PM
Let's just say she didn't earn the nickname "The Matador" for her bull-like hitting strength. :)
Back to swimming to put how bad I am in perspective. Beth can go down and back TWICE in 25yd pool BEFORE I can go down and back once.
Posted by: O at May 11, 2006 6:50 PM