Membership has its priveledges

OK....so excited...I signed up for a full membership with Triathalon Manitoba. I think I actually get a card and perhaps some discounts here and there at a few retail shops in the city. Actually I really did not have any choice in the matter, as to do any sanctioned race you need to purchase a membership.

The races are starting pretty soon with the Duathalon series in the park beginning in May (Jan check your email as I sent you info about this!). Apparently there are about 120 people who do these races, and Mr. P is strongly encouraging me to do so, so I gulp...guess...I ....must....face...my...fear! At least there is no swimming component in open water yet (that terrifies me!)

Speaking of swimming, I had a killer lesson yesterday. My swimming teacher got me to do a pyramid drill. Interestingly enough I think I heard an evil laugh coming from her direction when she said this. What this involves, is changing up your breath stroke. So for the first lap you breathe every 3 stroke, next lap every 4th, ....and so on until 6 in which you then start going back dow to the regular 3 stroke breath. By the time I got to 6, I seriously thought my lungs were going to explode or my heart (not sure which was going to blow first). Fortunately I had my fins on (which I love but are not allowed in races) so I just made it in the nick of time!

I also stopped in at one of the local swimming stores to see whether there wetsuits have arrived. Everyone and their dog has said this is a must for swimming in Canadian waters. The only place on the planet that absolutely forbids them is the Biggest Ironman race known to man in Kona, Hawaii. Since I am a weak swimmer, having a wetsuit is to my advantage because it assists with buoyancy. The suits are made of neoprene and very thin compared to a diving wetsuit or one that you would wear when boating or ahem...the kind you see at Costco. Unfortunately, they are not cheap-to get a decent one, at least 300.00 bucks. I thought initially of purchasing it through Ebay-but it is critical to get a good fit. Then I thought of renting-but its 60 bucks a pop for every race you do. Thus I have come to the realization that I will bite the bullet and fork over even more cash in mid-May when the suits are scheduled to arrive. Here's hoping my Triathalon membership has it's privledges, so that I can save a buck or two!