rawr

That's my power-yell. When I'm feeling defiant or strong or just plain ornery. I haven't written in a while partially because there was nothing really to write about and partially because there was just too much in my head to get down on paper. Haha! I really just typed that. I used to keep a paper journal. Somewhere there is a box or boxes full of little fabric covered journals, detailing my teenage and college years in excruciatingly mundane ways.

At any rate. Here's something that's been in my brain of late: Triathlons. I did my first Tri almost exactly two years ago, and it was a great great thing. Then all hell sorta broke loose in that we bought a house, moved, sold a house, and moved again within a year's time. Things were a bit bonkers, and I lost sight of goals like fitness and competition. But a few months ago I was reading my Shape Magazine and saw a little blurb about Slow Fat Triathlete. It sounded like a fun read, and a useful one for a casual wanna-be competitor like myself. I finally got around to ordering it (after several unsuccessful attempts at finding it locally) online and have been singing its praises ever since. I'm pretty sure Russell is sick of hearing about it, so I'll dump the kudos on you lot for a change.

The book is not a high-tech, all fired precision approach to Triathlons. It's an affirmation to anyone with secret dreams of competing who might feel held back by nagging thoughts of ineptitude--on any level, whether fitness, mental strength, or physique. When the author started competing in running races, she weighed over 200lbs. She discovered triathlons shortly thereafter and decided to give it a go, despite having a body that most people would be loathe to show in shorts and a tank top, much less a neoprene wet suit.

She stresses, time and time again, that *anyone* can compete--it's not just for elite athletes. Don't compare yourself to others, and don't give a damn what anyone else thinks--just get out there and do what you can and what you enjoy. Don't wait until you've reached a perfect level of fitness or until you feel you look hot in your spandex bike shorts... just get out there and do it!

That's the short version. It's a great read so far, and it has really inspired me to get moving again. The fact that the temperature has started dropping a bit recently hasn't hurt, either. :) It was only 101 today!!

Anyway. That's my spiel. Check out the book--even if you aren't interested in triathlons, it's a hilarious read, and inspirational for all aspects of life!