YET ANOTHER NUMBER

I've heard it said that having another birthday is better than the alternative.

I've heard it said that another birthday is like finding a warm spot in the swimming pool…It feels good as long as you don't think about it.

I've heard it said that age is like fine wine.  When we get older, we start to sour,  everything settles to the bottom and no one wants us around anymore.

Lately, I've looked at my pursuits, and have wondered what took me so long to tackle some big things. Luckily, the people around me have responded, "who cares?  You are doing it!"  I've also wondered if I have hit my mid-life crisis, signing up for big races like a marathon and an Ironman in 2014 -- neither of which I have previously attempted.  Looking ahead, I have my sights set on the Dopey Challenge, 4 days and almost 50 miles of running through Disney Theme parks.  My bucket list includes at least one more Ironman, and maybe a few more marathons.  If my body can hang on.

I realized while running the other day that I will be 50 when my son gets his driver's license.  I also realized that training for a marathon is hard.  Go figure.

When my brothers and I were kids, we threw my dad an "Over the Hill" birthday party.  Black and silver decorations, including an "Old Fart" t-shirt.  I look back on that day with horror now, and feel like I need to apologize to my father for making fun of his age.  So…So Sorry, Dad.

As I lay down over 30 miles of running per week, it's harder to get out of bed the next day…the list of things that hurt when I get up in the morning seems to get longer.  I'm losing toenails and rolling out muscles.

So if 40 is the new 30, let's look back at my athletic achievements or lack thereof:
Prior to age 10, I swam so much that I had a shoebox full of ribbons for my races with FAST.  At age 15 I returned to swimming an threw down my first sub-1-minute 100 meter swim, and my first 500 meter event.  I began springboard diving, and stunk at it.

In my 20s, I was not an athlete.  I just worked out so I wouldn't get too fat.  Unfortunately, I also like to eat.

Age 30.  My first Triathlon race was the Danskin Women's and I have averaged at least 1 triathlon every year since.

Age 37.  My first run over 6.4 miles…an 8-miler that I thought would kill me…if i didn't kill my training partner.  The same year, I did a five mile run in under 50 minutes…again I thought if I survived it, I'd make my BRF pay.

A year later at 38, I blow the doors off of all my previous triathlon times at the Rattlesnake Olympic Tri, and two months later I'm crossing the finish line at my first half marathon.

Then…this crazy Boulder Tri Series in 2013.

In the last 10 years I have gone from "recreational" fitness to heavy duty mileage and volume.  Not just punching a clock on the treadmill, but looking seriously at each training session and planning out my weeks and months.

So why the change?  I really have no idea.  I could look back at a trip to Hawaii 18 months ago -- this trip changed so much as I walked the neighborhood where the Ironman World Championships took place. I could look at my inspiring friends -- you know who you are -- that said not only "you can do this," but "You Will Do This."  I could look at a series of life challenges that unleashed strength and fortitude I never knew I had.  Whatever the case, I'm working harder than I ever thought I could.  40…better late than never, right?

What I find interesting is not only the age at which I'm doing these things, but that I'm getting faster as I get older.  As I look in the mirror, I'm find myself considering an eye or neck lift, but nothing in my closet fits…in a good way.  I see a story in every line on my face, and strength in every muscle.

Most importanly, though...when I look in the mirror now, I don't see a fat girl.  She was always there for most of my life, no matter what size was written in my jeans…but she's gone now. No where to be found.  When I look in the mirror, I see an athlete who feels good about herself not because of how she looks or the number on the calendar, but because of how she feels.

Because you are only as old as you feel.  Here's to another 40.