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Has it really been almost 9 months since I’ve posted anything?  It’s not that nothing’s been happening, because so much has. I guess I have an extreme case of writer’s block, to add to my many other faults, which is even more pronounced since I’m not even a writer.

The Danskin Triathlon is one week from today. My “training” has consisted of a few sporadic workouts: a few days of biking here and there, maybe 3 or 4 swims, and a lot of walking and hiking. Too bad hiking isn’t one of the Tri events, since I’m probably ready for that one. But thanks to Dahti Blanchard and her seasoned, experienced triathlete friends, I feel more prepared than I did before yesterday.

Dahti was been kind enough to invite me, and any friends I knew of who were also entered in the Danskin, to get together for a practice triathlon with her and her friends, Katie Franco and Debbie Greenspane. Alyssa Haddenham was my only “committed to the Tri” friend who could make it yesterday. Amber Powers Arnold would have been there, but she had to work.

Alyssa and I met Dahti, Katie and Debbie at the Cape George pool at 0730 yesterday morning, where we swam for 30 minutes ( did 22 laps which is about 1/2 mile) before jumping on the bikes for a 12 mile ride. But first, back to the pool. Dahti and her friends hit the water and swam like the athletes they are, swiftly moving through their laps with long, sure strokes. Alyssa and I bobbed along in the rear, hoping to survive without drowning in their wakes. I mostly alternate between the breast and side strokes, with a few exhausting crawls in between. For some reason, that stroke wears me out. As I told the others, I grew up swimming in Lake Washington, where the Triathlon will be, all my life into my 20′s, and feel very comfortable in the water. But I was never a serious or competitive swimmer. I know I can do this without drowning, but I’ll be slow.

After our swim, we briefly dried off and squeezed into our biking/running clothes, Alyssa and I dragging along behind the  other three, our limp legs wishing they were resting on a warm beach instead of pedaling up and down hills for 12 miles.

Kate and Debbie were soon out of sight, down Cape George road and onto the beautiful Larry Scott trail, while Dahti stayed back with Alyssa and me, guiding us along as reassuringly as a mother hen with her brood of chicks. All along the way, I peppered her with questions such as, “Do we take food to the Triathlon?” (No), “Where do we park?” (Qwest or Safeco Field and take a shuttle to the event), “Do you have to have a bike repair kit and extra chain, like the books say? (No) and “How do you blow your nose when riding?”

Dahti, who does this extreme workout EVERY DAY, patiently answered all my questions and slowed to wait for Alyssa and me, as we dismounted to walk our bikes up the steeper portions of the trail.

We met back at Kate’s house a few blocks from the pool and began our “run” portion of the day. For Alyssa and me, it was mostly a “walk”, punctuated by a few jogs when we weren’t going uphill.

Finally, we were allowed to stop for lunch. We sat around Kate’s dining room table and enjoyed our potluck lunch as we discussed the Triathlon, and Dahti, Kate, and Debbie kindly provided more reassurance and encouragement, as well as answered even more questions.

I drove home feeling much better about next Sunday’s big event, knowing that although it will be difficult, I can do it if I just persevere, and I’ll be able to say to myself that I completed a Triathlon in my 60th year.

After I got home, I had a hot cup of tea on this chilly, August day, and fell asleep, exhausted, on the couch.

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