Why drinking and discussing triathlon don't mix

This might be a cautionary tale of what NOT to do when you get together with your old college buddies and drink a wee bit too much, but I will chronicle the story either way. The background is that I haven't done anything remotely healthy or physically fit for about 7 years. I fell off the workout wagon in my mid-20s and never tried to get back on it. Most of my friends on the other hand, are in shape, quite a bit skinnier than I am, and also the sort to love me regardless of how I look.

So anyway, in early November 2005, I got together with two of my best friends (both former Pi Phi sisters) for a weekend of girl talk, wine and pina coladas. I should mention that both my friends are highly motivated, successful women. Kim used to run a non-profit agency that helped reduce gang violence, and is currently a Pink Cadillac driving Mary Kay sales director raising a precocious three year old and expecting her second child. Misa is ... well there's no easy way to describe her. She is a beautiful former model, a loyal friend, an amateur boxer, an entrepreneur, an accomplished violinist, a mentor to at risk teenagers, and the kindof person who will call you on your bullshit right to your face. I guess I'm the one that they consider to be the brain, mainly because I have a large array of useless knowledge and I've spent a lot of time in school trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. That's the three of us in the picture ... prior to all the liquor, those pictures I won't publish!! Kim's on the left, Misa in center and me on the right.

Anyway, one night we had polished off several bottles of wine and were working on a pitcher of margaritas while Misa was trying to solve the problems in my life. We were working on my "five year plan" and whenever I came up with an excuse as to why I couldn't do something, she would quickly call bullshit. One of my goals was to be in better shape and lose some weight. I talked about how I admired those who did work out, and I mentioned how I had always wanted to do a triathlon when I was younger. Misa immediately jumped on this because she too has wanted to do a triathlon (of course since she is in excellent shape it will be less of a stretch for her!) and she decided we should do one. I told her that it was impossible because I can't run, I can't swim and I'm not in shape! She in her very persuasive way refused to take no for an answer. I mentioned the Danskin series which is a female only event that is friendly to first timers and we got on the web, and found that one was scheduled for the Chicago area on July 9, 2006. Right then we decided that we would do it! We would be triathletes! Not too long after this decision, we all passed out.

The next day, much to my chagrin Misa remembered this conversation and would hold me to it. She resolved to start swim lessons and begin training and I resolved to get off the couch and find a place to work out.

Now almost three months later, I've made some progress (not a lot, but some). I joined a health club, hired a personal trainer because I was SOO clueless on where to even begin with working out. I purchased some running shoes, got some nifty workout clothes and started working out. I'm currently following a couch to 5K program to work on my running (did I mention that I have NEVER run in my life?) and it's been rough. Right now I'm on week 4 of 9, and I can almost finish the workout without feeling like I'm going to either puke or pass out. I've been riding on a stationary bike at the rec center a couple of times a week because it's Missouri and it's still pretty cold outside.

And the swimming,? Well I just need to get started on that. I mean I know how to swim, I took lessons like a good Girl Scout when I was a kid, but I've never swam laps or tried to swim long distance. I'm thinking of taking a few private lessons, maybe I'll look into that later this week.

So that's my story. I'm going to do this triathlon and finish it! I have a long way to go but luckily several months in which to do it. I should mention that I'm 32, 5' 5" weigh around 155 pounds and am NOT fit. I also work full time as a nurse on the night shift so I have a really bizarre sleep schedule. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I don't want to let my friends or myself down. I'm really good at saying "I can't" or making excuses about my life, but this time I'm going to take action!!