What A Difference A Race Makes

It's been 3 weeks since the big CapTex Triathlon where I completed a one mile open water swim across Austin's Town Lake. **I have one week left for you to donate, so go to my donation link to the left and do it now! I'm back in training (race to be determined) and I swam last night for the first time in 3 weeks. I'm less than thrilled to be back to the pool facing all the bad side effects of the chlorine. At least I'm not swallowing it now. I must say showing up to the first day of training was alot different this round. I can remember the evening of February 16 like it was yesterday. I was driving to my very first swim feeling the impending doom of wearing a tight fitting Speedo over my super white body as well as that oh so attractive swim hat in public. I was so sick to my stomach all I wanted to do was turn around and go home. Last night I showed up to the pool in my new, super cute, red & black, Nike swimsuit as a "veteran triathlete." As you know, looking the part is my number one priority. This time the only thing I was worried about was my awful bike short tan line that will probably never even out. Those big white rings around my thighs certainly don't help out in the appearing thin department. Last night, a whole new group of trainees arrived. They were obviously feeling very self conscious and worried about what they had gotten themselves into. One of those self conscious people was none other than my hubbie, Bradley P. He walked out in the Speedo I convinced him to purchase by assuring him he would look no different than any other guy there & I was right. Apparently there is no difference in the way a girl feels walking out in a Speedo and the way a guy does. Girls wonder how fat they look and why the suit doesn't cover more. Guys wonder why the suit has to be so tight and "revealing." It's also the one true time that a guy has to deal with the "muffin top," which I personally feel is small, sweet victory for chics dealing with the muffin top issue on a daily basis! There is one common thread between the guys & dolls. Both promise themselves they will never ever eat again because the roll of flab around your stomach is so embarrassing you can't get into the pool fast enough. As soon as that swim is over, you are so hungry and that promise goes right out the window. Oh, well. C'est la vie! All one can do is try try again!