Team in Training Update: The Big Decision

I dubbed this past weekend "Decision 2008 Weekend," because I had to
choose which race to compete in, Olympic or Half Ironman, as well as
"recommit" to my fundraising goal. There was no doubt that I would see
this process through -- and with over 80% of my nearly $3000 goal
raised thanks to your generosity, I was confident I could do what I
promised for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.

No, the question was this: Could I swim 1.5 miles, bike 56 miles and
run 13 miles on May 3 at the Wildflower triathlon in Monterey county?

Saturday was test number one: After a one-hour swim workout, I biked
42 miles through gorgeous East Bay hills (Danville, Lafayette, Orinda
-- you know, the 'hood). I finished strong, if second-to-last. I felt
darn proud.

Sunday was test number two. We began with a short clinic on
open-water sighting and breathing techniques. Also covered was how to
deal with a mass race start, where people are stepping on your head to
get out in front of you in the water. Then, we went for an 11-mile
run. I started out too fast at 8:30 minute miles for the first 3.5. At
the water stop, my quadriceps locked up. The group took off in front
of me and I began jogging very, very slowly and enjoying the scenery.
I finished the run in just under two hours, with walk breaks.

With the cumulative exhaustion of the previous day's ride, this was
the closest I'd come to my physical limit over the last seven weeks of
training. And all the coaches were warning me about when they close
the course to cyclists, when they close it to runners, etc. -- not
exactly what I'd hoped to hear ("You should go for it, you're an
undiscovered endurance sports talent!").

"You're like me -- hard-headed and Type A," said one coach. "I did
Half Ironman for my first triathlon, and I regretted it. Why not start
with a race you can feel good about?"

I don't think I'm Type A -- if I were truly Type A, I'd be getting
more done! But I did realize, come Monday morning, that there was no
need to turn this race into a referendum on my ability to endure --
yet. I can't boast about completing the Half Ironman if they close the
course on me! ("Oh, you wouldn't be dead last -- we train you better
than that at TNT," another coach said. "You'll be surprised when you
see some of these people who have no business being out on the
course!")

In the end, I opted for the Olympic distance. It's an excellent race
(.9 mile swim, 26 mile bike, 6 mile run) and the good thing is that
I've been training much longer distances in an effort to make the
Half-Ironman cut. (That said, my race record is distinctly middle- to
back-of-the-pack -- don't expect a photo finish.)

As for the fundraising, I appreciate your patience and encouragement
as I pursue this goal of melding stamina with a charitable mission
that has made dramatic strides toward curing blood cancers. Whatever
you can contribute, it makes a difference and it's tax-deductable.

Here's the link for easy and secure online donation.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/AlexaWeberMorales