Check triathlon off the list

My ongoing attempt to try just about everything once has lead to a new hobby. Somehow the most athletically challenged girl in the world has finished her first triathlon. What? Come again? You heard right but even I can’t believe it. After an hour and twenty six minutes I managed to cross the finish line without tripping, drowning, or wrecking my borrowed bike. To make matters even more hilarious I won an award for third place in my age group (honestly there were only 6 or 7 of us in my age group but still…).
With the help of a few friends I began training a couple months ago. Staying true to my frugal ways I borrowed a bike and a helmet, purchased a pair of way too tight tri shorts and a mean pair of 7 eleven shades. As the day of the race started to inch closer and closer I became more and more nervous. I knew that I could handle the physical activity. After all I was doing a teeny tiny sprint. No big deal right? If you have ever spent more than five minutes with me you know that I am not the smoothest individual around. I am like a baby giraffe that never really managed to learn how to work extra long limbs. This being said I was worried about making the transitions. Furthermore I am not an athlete and aren’t people that do these things uber athletes? I couldn’t help but think that I was out of my league. But isn’t that why I wanted to do this race in the first place?
The morning of the race my wonderful, amazing friends met me at Moss Park to cheer me on. After setting up my bike and being branded with a giant sharpie, we walked down to the lake. The sun was rising and the butterflies were awake in my stomach. But I was ready! As the swim began I was so excited or full of adrenalin that I couldn’t swim with my face underwater. Are you kidding I practically can out of the womb swimming! I had to take a couple moments to calm myself down (and make sure a lifeguard was close by just in case). Once I regained my composure I felt great. It took me 16 minutes to swim a half mile. Not too shabby! Next came the biking which was cake. As I transitioned from swim to bike and bike to run I could hear my friends cheering me on. Once again I must repeat that I have the best friends in the world. Finally, after the biking came the dreaded run. My legs felt like jello as I began the last portion. I couldn’t help but have the Shins “Sea Legs” on repeat in my mind. I could not tell how fast I was running, all I knew is that I wasn’t going to slow down for anything. At one point I thought that I had ran in the wrong direction because the distance seemed a little longer than I had anticipated. Wouldn’t you know it, I crossed the finish line with a decent time and the biggest feeling of accomplishment. I was told I would become addicted after my first and I am. I have my sights set on the olympic distance next!

Miss......

I spend most of my day trapped with silly, hormone raging, attitude carrying, sometimes wonderful, sometimes insane teenagers. Did I say trapped? Truth be told I love my job but it does have its challenges. My vocabulary has been reduced to a fraction of its normal size and by the end of the day I crave adult conversation. Along the way I have learned and experienced many things that need to be shared.
The following are things that I have learned over the past four years of teaching:
1. Teenagers do not know the difference between Ms. And Mrs. According to most of my students I am already married. The cheap jerk didn’t even buy me a ring.
2. If you reference the Simpsons or the Office in a lesson the concept will stick.
3. There should be an age requirement for heels. Never ever, under no circumstance should a fifteen year old be allowed to wear heels.
4. If a kid is drooling they are probably on drugs.
5. It doesn’t matter how much you think you hate your parents I guarantee they deserve an award compared to some of the winners I have seen. Call your mom and dad today and thank them for being awesome parents.
6. Most of all I have learned that teenagers can be pretty great, if you take the time to listen to them. They make me laugh on a daily basis.
Teenage quote du jour:
This boy must not know me, I take bullets.

Just what the internet needs....

.....another blog. Take out a bottle of Champagne and get ready to swing! After much procrastination the maiden blog has been christened. I can’t promise that I will ever enlighten you with knowledge worthy of an intellectual discussion but I can promise to make you laugh, smirk, or giggle, either with me or at me. There is no real direction to my ramblings. It just happens to be whatever is going on in my head or life at the time. Enjoy….