Moms In Motion : Connecting Moms Through Fitness

In June of 1999, my good friends announced to me that they had entered the Santa Barbara Sprint Triathlon held in August. "What's a triathlon?" I heard myself saying. Swim, Bike & Run! I was told. " I would love to be able to do that I said!!"

Before I knew it, I also had entered the race. In June 1999, I was about 40 lbs. heavier than I am now. I couldn't swim. (It wasn't like I couldn't swim well, I just couldn't swim.) I hadn't been on a bike since I was about 10 and I had never done any running.
So it began!! My friends had me out in the ocean, one in front and one behind whilst I cursed and attempted doggy paddle. My husband went out and bought me a bike, which I couldn't get on or off without falling flat on my face. (My then 3 ½ year old son watched in horror.) My husband also bought me a double jogging stroller, so I had no excuses as to why I couldn't join the runners.

My friend taught me to swim, I learned to ride a bike again and very soon I had managed to run 2 miles (with my 6-month-old daughter and my son in the jogger) without feeling like I couldn't breath. As the day of that first race drew nearer, I had so many mixed emotions. I was a triathlete! Who was I kidding! What am I doing! It's going to be great! I can remember saying to my husband one day; "I'm so scared, I can not do this."

He looked at me and said, 'you've cost me over $1,000 (new bike and baby jogger)you're doing it!" So that was that!! Race day arrived! 5:30 in the morning driving to the race, my knuckles were white holding on to the steering wheel. They didn't think we would make it there - but we did. I was surrounded by athletes; it was like entering a different world. It was surreal. The race started. I swam, biked and ran. I finished - I was a triathlete!!

Last year in the race I improved my time and came in 4th in my age group. The triathlon made me feel that I was able to do anything. It's the best thing I have ever done for myself and through it I have become a better wife and mother. Moms In Motion has been great for me, watching other first timers who truly thought they couldn't do it, seeing people improve and complete the course practice. The day of the race is just around the corner. You will love it. It's thrilling and when it's over, you will feel like you're walking on air. I can't wait, and I know as Paula Newby- Fraser said, "it's not Club Med, but it's pretty close."