The Sprint Triathlon That Almost Didn't Happen

FEAR can be paralyzing. It can make you think something you know to be true, is not. Fear can take over your entire body and mind and keep you stagnant. Motionless. Fear almost robbed me of a dream.

The weekend where I would participate in my second open water swim as a new triathlete had arrived; however, this open water swim would be different. I would undertake the 750 meter swim WITHOUT a wetsuit. #gasp Before the race, I took a walk down to the swim exit. There, stood many other triathletes taking in the scene of what would be our 1st discipline out of three. There, also stood a triathlete who had previously participated in this race and had a few insider tips. I listened as she explained the water was fairly calm but there would be a point after we turned the last buoy that we would have to "fight" our way into the finish line. An alarm went off in my head as those words rolled off her lips and my fight or flight was activated. I was already nervous about the swim and hearing her say those words solidified my decision. I was not going to do the swim. You see, fear already had its grasp on me so tight, that the night before the race, I convinced myself I couldn't swim. Yes, even though I had already completed a sprint triathlon in open water the previous month and even though I'd put in countless of 2k yards of swimming in a pool the months prior. So I did only what someone who was fearful of the open water swim would do.

I calmly, but frantically (trust me, it's possible) walked to the event organizers and asked if I could downgrade my race to a duathlon (bike, run, bike) instead of the triathlon (swim, bike, run). The lady looked at me and gently told me she could downgrade my race. She went on to say the swim support crew was going to be on the job today and if I needed any help, to just flag them. She also said did not want me to regret my decision later on. So I stood there for a few seconds. I thought about how I would feel if I didn't follow through with my own goals and then I made my FINAL decision. I was going to swim.

I made my way to the swim start and continued to completely freak out internally about the swim. Then, I met a group of awesome women who poured confidence into me and made me slightly believe again that I could indeed swim. We laughed a little and spoke of our other tri events and this seemed to calm me a bit. Later, I saw my sister had arrived and that instantly gave me a jolt of #blackgirlpower. I told her I was nervous and she did only what great sisters would do. She told me, "you got this".

So what happened with the swim? I finished!! I got out of that water amazed by what I had just done. I was smiling from ear to ear. Even though I still had a bike ride and a run to complete, in my head, I had just finished THE race. I didn't care what happened after that. I had just conquered a fear, moments earlier, I thought I could not do. The remainder of the race was uneventful. No butterflies or fears standing in my way. I finished the race with a smile on my face and with my sister greeting me with a hug and smile. I was also greeted by one of the women whom I met before the start of the swim. She congratulated me and gave me a big embrace. We continue to communicate via instagram to this day.

Although it was a pretty close match, I'm glad I did not let fear win that day. I'm thankful for those women who encouraged me, even without knowing me. I'm grateful I finished what I sought out to achieve. My confidence got a huge boost from that days events. Huge! In fact, it was that day, that I started to consider myself a "real" swimmer. That day also reminded me of the power/importance of having a strong support network around you. I encourage you to find an awesome group of people who will lift you up and inspire you and I beg of you to stay clear of those who keep you the same or worse, drag you down.

Until next time, move your body and have fun doing it.

Swim exit. #peaceoutwater

Still working on not looking like a kid on the bike

My happy place. Oh how I love a good run.

Yes, I was having fun. I wish I could bottle up the feelings I felt at that moment.

The kind soul who provided me with support at the swim start met me at the finish line. #joy

Me and my beautiful sister

Walked away with a 2nd place finish in my age group. It was only three of us total racing (in my age group) but who's keeping track. 2/3 is still 2/3. :-) I even qualified for Nationals as a result of this 2nd place win. Will I go? TBD.

Certificate from the event.