Maureen's intro

Hi, I just signed up for the Danskin Triathlon in Webster, MA on 8/1/2004. Why did I sign up? I have never done a tri, and I need a goal. I do some mountain biking and running, but am a terrible swimmer. I am 42 years old, and 142 pounds. I was down to 127 pounds last year, but family life got crazy for a while, and I gained back all the weigh I had lost.

My training has to part of life because otherwise it will not get done. For instance, today, I hauled my 5-year old son on a trailer-bike on a 6 mile ride with a lot of hills. We stopped at the coffee shop for a snack. I have to keep the rides fun for my kids otherwise, they will not come, and then I won't get anytime in the saddle. My hubby is supportive and he is a competitive mtn biker. So some nights he rides, and some nights, I get a run or ride in.

I am going to have to work at getting the swimming in. All winter, I would swim laps (backstroke) during my son's 1/2 hour swim lesson. I feel I can do the backstroke forever, but I exhaust myself with 1 lap of the crawl. I know it is becuase I don't have the technique or breathing.

Any other people in similar situations as me?

- Maureen in Maine.