step away from the martini

Hello!! I've been reading the website and the forums for a while - but of course, not being a "real" athlete I've never signed up.  From someone who breaks a sweat pulling the cork from the wine bottle, the thought of doing a triathlon was pretty far fetched.  But I've decided to jump in with both twig-like legs!! i've built my running up from the real struggle of a one minute walk - one minute run - to an enjoyable 11 km run (how exciting the first time I did that without stopping!!). I don't swim - but i've got the suit, the cap and the goggles - though so far they've only been used to make me aerodynamic on the waterslide. I haven't biked in years - and we're about to hit a bitter winter, so I'll bike indoors.

I've been watching my sister build up from try-a-tri to olympic tri's, and now she's training for a 1/2 ironman.  I always go with her, hungover and eating junkfood by the side of the road, proudly waving her on.  But I've slowly gotten hooked, just by watching the sheer joy on her face. She's so fit, she's looks beautiful - inside and out. Every time I see her come out of the water, go through the transitions, loop by on her bike or running, she is always grinning.  I hope besides getting fit, I'll enjoy the experience as much as her! I'm always pestering her with questions - about food, heart rates, swim pool etiquette, and she's patient as a saint, but now I've got a whole new community of people to learn from!