Monday, October 16, 2006

playing dress up

Background
This summer I completed two sprint and one Olympic distance (1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6 mile run) triathlons, the first three of my life. I had been wanting to do one since college, but I never thought I had the time—go figure. It took having triplets to realize that I would never have the time unless I made it myself.

My friends and I (all moms and all working professionals) trained hard for the events. We woke up early to train nearly every day, even in the heat and the rain and even when we were exhausted because one of our kids had kept us up the night before or when we were under pressure from work or from both…we invested in all of the necessary gear for doing the three sports involved and in the requisite pool memberships. We clearly showed grit, determination, and stamina.

It should also be noted that we have been running together for several years and all of us have at some point in our lives completed one or more marathons. We are all in excellent physical condition, relatively speaking, of course.

What follows are various conversations we had with each other while running or over e-mail during the course of the summer…for names I just use initials, except for one of my friends who came up with a name for herself for exclusive use on my blog…

Conversation # 1: leading up to the first race…

A. What are you wearing for the triathlon?

K. I bought a triathlon suit online. It’s a two piece.

A. Me, too. But I’m not wearing it. The top is too short and I don’t want my pale white stomach to show.


Conversation # 2: e-mail after the first race

K. Hey you guys, the photos from the triathlon have been posted. Check them out. Yikes.

M. Oh my! I am actually mad at you three for letting me be seen in public like that!

K. It’s the lighting.

M. Yeah, right.

A. What do you mean? You all look great (except for that one shot, M.) and I look hideous.

K. And the angle.

M. Yeah, sure.

K. And the fact that it’s not a Nike commercial.


Conversation # 3: still talking about the first race…

K. I think the trick to a good shot is to pose. Make eye contact with the photographers when you see them. Then lift your hands in the air as if in triumph and smile or shout for joy…maybe just lift one arm on the bike.

M. Good idea.

K. Then go back to dying.


Conversation #4: later in the summer, preparing for second race…

K. What are you wearing for this one?

Sheba Q. I’m wearing my turquoise bikini for the swim. Then putting on shorts and a top for the rest.

K. Smart! Looking great is what it’s about. No one will remember or care about our times, not even us, but a nice photo on the mantle will last forever.

Note: Sheba Q. did wear said bikini, and looked awesome, with turquoise earrings and matching ring, but unfortunately there were no photographers present when swimmers emerged from the water.