In case you missed my frustrated triathlon training face on Facebook or Instagram yesterday, I had a difficult swim. I know another one, what else is new? Of course I didn’t want to get in the pool at all and once I did, I wanted to get out after five minutes, then 10, 11, 12 you get the idea.
Swimming with Suck Monkeys
I seem to have brought a whole troop of suck monkeys to the pool with me in my head and they had many convincing reasons why I should bag my June tri. I’m no stranger to suck monkeys. I’ve written about silencing them before. With the end of April bearing down on us, its time to get serious about tri training and swimming with monkeys isn’t gonna cut it. What do you do when negativity is closing in on you? You counter it with positive, loving thoughts. So here we go:
5 Things to LOVE about Triathlon
- Tris(C)uits are badass. Sorry, I will always insert a C there. Because….well….crackers are delicious. If skulls or daggers don’t channel your inner badass, there’s always stormtroopers, wonderwomen and pugs to do that. Don’t even let me start on the body markings. Synonymous with badass right there.
- Tri bikes are badass too, even if I haven’t the foggiest idea how to ride one. They sure look sweet as they blaze past, making it seem like Blanche the trusty road bike and I are riding in place. Not complaining, I love Blanche.
- In triathlon, the old farts (me) go off first. This gives me less time to get nervous, head for the car and leave. Plus the ladies in my group at last year’s Espirit de She triathlon were so very nice and encouraging…even when I had my leg jammed in the arm of my wetsuit.
- Triathlon is SO much easier on your body. One does not fully grasp the extent to which all running all- the-time beats you to a pulp until one mixes some bike and swim in there. So much kinder and gentler and conducive to recovery.
- Triathlon keeps things interesting. Just when you’re sure you can’t swim (or dog paddle) another stroke, your toe touches land, you look toward the heavens, thank your lucky stars and shift gears to bike mode. Great for those of us challenged with attention (or swimming) issues. Oh and that feeling you get when you finally rack your bike and head out to run? Sheer euphoria with a huge sigh of relief. Because run? I CAN DO THAT!
Quick: Tell me something good about something that challenges you or isn’t your favorite. How do you counter your suck monkeys?
Join us next week for the Runfession Friday Linkup! Share your run-, gym-, tri-, heck any ‘fessions will do and link them up right here. I promise you’ll feel better!
I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar and Cyn for the Friday 5…
…and with Jill for the Fitness Health and Happiness Linkup.
I keep meaning to learn how to swim. I mean I KNOW how to swim, I just don’t know how to swim with any kind of grace!
I hear you on the sucky swim workouts. Swimming is HARD! I’m doing my first tri next month and I’m so nervous but really excited to become a triathlete! You’re so right about it being easier on my body, I love it!
I cracked up laughing at the pug tri suit- that is hilarious and definitely bad ass! 😉
I have probably told you I’d like to do a tri…..someday. I did my first du last summer, and that was great. The swimming, though….major YUCK, I’d have an entire heard (?) of my own monkeys jumping on the (metaphoric) bed in my head. But, I know challenges and comfort zone violations are what make us stronger….so stay tuned (but don’t hold your breath) 😉
SUCK MONKEYS!!! I love that term. I have them. I sort of have them right now. Not a great attitude to go into the race with! I am hoping my suck monkeys fuel me with some anger that will give me pep in my step to hit my paces! I mean I have had some of my best runs when I have been angry!
I never liked swimming, and the feeling hasn’t changed. I’m not even much of a beach person either, so pools and oceans aren’t my cup of tea.
I might tri if bikes didn’t scare me. And I also have trouble making the time to get into the pool, despite the weather finally being right for it, the fact that I only run 3-4 x week — it’s just time consuming.
And I LIKE swimming! Not that I’m good at it, mind you. And I don’t really fancy being kicked in the face while swimming, either.
But you’re so right that it’s easier on the body.
The tri suits are pretty badass. I just saw one up close for the first time the other day and it had me wanting to do a tri – and I’ve never wanted to do a tri! haha
I love the wonder woman suit!
Since I can’t swim a real stroke, I admire you for just doing it!
Just the fact it is an easier recovery is a great reason to hang in there and make it happen!
Those suits are so funny. Not sure I would ever do a tri. I don’t like to bike and I am scared of an open water swim…. but hey, you never know.
Tomorrow is another day, the suck moneys will go away !
If I do a tri someday I hope to do one where I can get away with not wearing a tri suit – wouldn’t want to buy one unless I really decided to get into it – but also because I’m scared! Haha. But I always think other people look badass in them.
Damn those suck monkeys! Those tri suits are pretty great! I really should learn to swim….
I hate cardio – I do it so I can eat more! 🙂
This is great!!
As a newbie to tris , I appreciate this.
The monkey is real though! I haven’t even started training yet and I am constantly doubting myself….mainly with what the hell were you thinking Tamieka….you don’t even know how to swim!!!
My pre-training starts at the end of May …..I still need to get a bike….can’t afford one of those fancy Tri bikes yet so just going to get something with 2 wheels 😉
I hope your swims get better.
Thanks for sharing.
As you already know, I am on the same page with swimming right now. Hang in there! I will too 🙂 Even though it scares me that June is coming so fast and my tri is at the very beginning of June. Definitely need to get moving! Good luck!
That pug tri suit is amazing!
I also LOVE the term suck monkeys, I may have to adopt it 🙂