Ramblings

Ok, so I haven’t posted for a while. Its not that I don’t want to or haven’t thought about it, I have. A lot. I am guessing that my reticence is a reflection of my state of mind lately. It feels like I am on the cusp of something great but I am holding back. Worried about taking that step that will launch me over the edge into flight.

It is many things; fear, insecurity, not enough self confidence/ self belief.

This nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe I am about to bite off more than I think I can handle?

But upon reflection what have I really got to worry about?

This has been a HUGE year for me. It started off with my first ever Triathlon, for a laugh, and has escalated into so many personal goals reached and smashed than I ever dreamed possible.

In February I told myself I would be happy if I could just run 5km without stopping. I have since run over 10km and smashed my 5km PB to under 30 minutes. I have cycled more kilometres in the last 9 months than I cycled in the last 20 years. And so much more. All this while homeschooling the 6 munchkins, dealing with pre-puberty blues and being constantly, persistently broke.

2013 is promising to be year of adventure and new horizons. Simon finishes his apprenticeship (THANK THE LORD!!!) I am planning a whole new curriculum for the munchkins and I have somehow said yes to being part of the Northern Beaches Cycling Club Women’s Development team… I think this means I will be riding in races and helping other lady riders…

Helping other lady riders to learn how to ride and get confident on their bikes – No Worries. But RACING? Me? Hmmm…

And therein lies my self confidence issue. I know I am a good rider BUT because I ride with so many other REALLY fast & powerful riders who have so much more time to train and ride than I do, I am usually the slowest out there.

On the upside, I have been helping out in a beginners ladies riding group and also riding with a ladies who have  started riding again after a long break from their bikes and who have just bought a new bike and this has boosted my confidence hugely.

So the bottom line is basically I guess I am just going to do what I do best, jump and learn to fly as I go – Such is the story in the Adventures of Jacqueline

To Tri Or Not To Triathlon (& Just Cycle Instead)

It was an amazing convergence of events. This happened over weeks but it seemed one day the baby turned 2, hubby got a new job which meant he was home in the early afternoons and on weekends, our Worldwide Marriage Encounter leadership term expired and suddenly this whole new world of time and possibilities opened up for me. Maybe I also had an early mid life crisis because at the beginning of the year I completed a 6 week triathlon training course and raced and finished my first ever triathlon. Definitely one of the highlights of my year.

I had planned to race in at least another two or three more in the season but only managed one more a few weeks later. I finished that too but as I had not kept up with my training I was not happy with my results.

I think I am hooked now. I have even got my kids into the sport. Talk about value for money, I pass  all the tips that my coach gave me on to them!!

I am pretty sure I want to race in more Triathlons but for the last 6 weeks I have been nursing a really sore foot. Dr. Google says I have a badly strained plantar fascia. Basically a strain in the arch of the foot… I have done all the right things and I can at least walk now in relative comfort. Thank God my cycling and swimming were not affected or I might have just given it all away!!

So the question is do I persist with my training or forget Triathlons altogether and just focus on cycling? That is a tough one. I was just starting to really enjoy running again. And swimming, what can I say? I can swim for miles in the pool but throw me in the ocean or river and I panic… You would not believe how DIFFERENT pool and open water swimming are!!

It seems so simple doesn’t it? And maybe the simple answer is the right one BUT at the end of the day what I want and what is right don’t match up so I guess this is going to have to be decided by my FOOT!!

Ok Foot? You hear that? You have already making me miss the Relay Marathon next weekend BUT the City 2 Surf is at the end of August!! So what are you waiting for? Get better already and lets get running!!