Band-aids and Baby oil...bring on the tri!

I've mentioned on here before that I often get frustrated at the multitude of various opinions surrounding health, nutrition and fitness.  I have decided that there are so many different approaches to weight loss and healthy living because different things work for different people.  And different things work in different situations.

So here I am, training my heart out for two rapidly approaching triathlons with all sorts of thoughts and ideas and opinions being thrown at me.  Instead of listening to the advice of  all the experts on various types of fitness out there, I am going to listen to someone who actually does triathlons.  Wow--mind blowing, isn't it?

I have done quite a bit of research on my own, thanks to my trusty book "Triathlons for Women."  (I couldn't find a "Triathlons for Dummies"...)  However, nothing is like being able to pick someone's brain for a few hours.

Luckily for me, I happen to KNOW an expert in this field. An actual IRON MAN.  Our friend Quin did an Iron Man last year (and has done numerous other tris as well.)  To me, nothing tops an Iron Man.  In my mind it is the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest or walking on the moon.  The whole time he was doing it, I kept checking Facebook to make sure he was still alive.  And that is not because I think he is a loser, it is because I don't really think any human being should be able to survive that kind of a race.  But he did!

Here is Quin and his family after he completed the Iron Man--2.4 mile swim, 100 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile fun run.  And he says he would love to do it again!!

Last night, my comrade-in-arms, Becca, and I went over to visit Quin and get the low-down on what to expect when we do our tri in less than two weeks.  It was awesome!!!  He was so full of information and he knows his stuff.  He tells it like it is, too.  Yes, we were discussing nipple chafing, bathroom habits, and effective methods of lubrication to get into and out of your wetsuit.  (Becca and I will be stocking up on band-aids, Pam cooking spray, baby oil and something called Chamois cream.)  He laid it all out there.  We quizzed him for almost 2 hours!  It was awesome!

Today I picked up my wetsuit and tomorrow we are heading out to the reservoir to try our first swim in open water!  I am getting excited!!!

(And feel free to check Facebook on the day of my race to make sure I am still alive.  It's no Iron Man, but I still have my doubts...)