swimming

As an aspiring triathlete on a limited budget, I hope to train and race as cheaply as possible. But I also know that a triathlon is not like a running race. In a triathlon (or a duathlon), competitors transition between activities and change gear while continuing to race. This is going to require more than a decent pair of shoes ($150) and a sports bra ($20), both of which I already own.

If nothing else, preparing for a triathlon has given me an appreciation for cross-training. Over the years, I've been a dabbler: a hatha yoga class here, an evening jog there. But I've never kept up anything for very long, or with any consistency, let alone alternated between more than one activity.

To compete in a triathlon, you need to be able to do three things: swim, bike, and run. But let's face it, if you hope to have fun on race-day, you need not only to be able to do these things, but to do them reasonably well. This is where training comes in: building endurance and skill, over time.

I believe deeply in the principle that practice makes perfect (just ask my kids). But there are occasions when the principle falls flat. Take the piano, for example: you can practice and practice and practice, but if you're consistently hitting the wrong notes, all the practice in the world won't help; in fact, it may actually hinder, as your muscle memory takes on all the wrong notes.

I've established one crazy goal: complete a triathlon. And I've identified a major impediment to that goal: the fact that I've never learned to swim. The next step is clear as tropical water: learn to swim, woman!