In the beginning

Not all of us hockey moms are quite the same.  Sure we all love our little skaters-even if they are  6''4- but many of us have other aspirations that don't include ice.  Mine just happen to include the madness that makes up endurance sports, Duathlons to be precise.

A few years ago I hit middle age and wanted to push myself.  Already an avid runner and cyclist at a C range (average), I read an article about the Malibu sprint Triathlon event and the participants (celebrities) involved.  I learned that sprint levels weren't as intense as those Ironman events that I had enjoyed watching on TV, but wouldn't be caught dead (literally) competing in.

And in the end, if JLo could handle Malibu, I could surely take on a lake in PA right?

Thus the seed was planted, the madness set in and I signed up for my first, and last, Triathlon.  I finished and did okay, but came to the realization that swimming, for me, involves lying by the pool with a quick dip to cool off.  Fighting other swimmers limbs, seaweed and fatigue was not in my agenda.  If I had any intentions of attempting this madness again, it would have to be a Duathlon which involves running and biking.

Oh lucky me, they have those!

A dozen races and a few trips to the podium later, I thought I had scratched this itch.  Work, life and injuries kept me sidelined for the last few years.  In 2014 I started taking spin classes 2-3 x per week. They kicked my ass, but literally saved my life.  And after battling a number of foot injuries, I'm finally ready to hit the pavement again.

My little skater, who I coached all through peewee midget and juniors, is now ready to be my coach, and we have our sights set on defending a gold medal I won nearly 5 years ago at a race in Delaware.

I have miles to work in on foot and bike, work to schedule around, age and fatigue to battle...

Did I mention it's playoff hockey season as well?  Minor detail.

I'm determined to not only finish, but to bring back some shiny hardware for my efforts.  So many of my friends seem so willing to kick back and let life lull them into a slumber at this stage.  I watched my mother do that, and it took her from us at 68.  Not. Happening.

The journey begins now.