The most common reactions to the news of me doing a Triathlon were not what I expected.  Initially, I thought people would think it was a wonderful thing to be doing, but that was not the case.   Everyone tells me how great it is that I’m helping out the LLS, but just about everyone thinks I am nuts for doing a Half Ironman Triathlon.  The initial responses were “Are you nuts?!,” “Switch to Olympic Distance NOW,” or “Couldn’t you just ask for money and not do the triathlon?”  My parents and a few friends were supportive and told me to go for it!  This includes someone who I went to high school with named Megan W., who I wasn’t particularly close with and I hadn’t heard from in years, but as it turns out she has done two marathons with Team In Training.  I was amazed that she left me a Facebook wall post saying “Go Team” when I announced I had signed up.  That was very cool.

Later, I asked Becca “Am I nuts for going for the Half Iron” and she told  said “Absolutely, but everyone that does a Half Ironman or Ironman is a little bit nuts!”  It takes a ton of time and a ton of hard work.  She then informed me that Team In Training has almost a 100% finishing rate for those people who commit to the program and come to the practices.  In other words, the coaches, mentors, staff, volunteers and of course your peer Team members help you accomplish something lots of people never dream of doing.

Because doing this is a little bit nuts it something worth while to “earn” donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  By being a little bit nuts, I’m going get in great shape.  By being a little bit nuts I am going to accomplish a physical goal that I can be proud of achieving.

If you’ve ever thought and wondered maybe I should do a Triathlon, Marathon, Half Marathon, or some other sort of endurance event, but realized or been told, “Nah that is nuts!”  You are probably right, but the difficulty is what makes it worth while and worthy of donations.