My Inner Athlete used to be very active: skiing, kickboxing, biking, weights, you name it she was doing it until sometime in the early 2000s. Then, she saw the light and instead of attempting to shame me into joining her (it didn't work. . .I know my place-- it's
on the beach. . .in a chair), she joined me. Together we'd hit the sand, lie back and relax, sip wine. It was a happy union.
I'm not sure what Inner Athlete has been spiking my wine with, but our relationship has changed without my even realizing it. I have been duped. Last August I started "running" using the Couch to 5K program; a program that turns you into a runner in spite of yourself and I have surpassed the 5K mark - heading toward 10K. All of this has happened while IA stood on the sidelines with her back to me, glass in hand, pretending she didn't even notice. She didn't say a word about it, just continued to sip wine with me, lamenting the winter months and yearning for sun. DIDN'T SAY A WORD. . .until I needed new running shoes and then she started peppering my speech with words like "pressure sensors" and "mid-strike", whispering in my ear to buy the "good" running shoes because my feet would thank me (and they have).
Inner Athlete re-emerged in full force last weekend while in California. She grabbed my hand and dragged me full speed down the road to watch a triathalon. The participants swim through the local lake, bike through a 14 mile course and run 3 miles to finish. I stood on the corner as these athletes came riding by in all ages, shapes and sizes and the thought that I can do this quietly presented itself. IA whispered in my ear, "Yessss, you caaannn." I pondered the idea, concerned about my speed. . .or lack thereof. I wouldn't do it to win, that's never gonna happen, but I would do it just to do it. I am a strong swimmer, I love to bike and I can run 3 miles now. I could do this.
And so I am. Next year's Desert Triathalon has another participant. I turned to IA and sneered, "This is all your fault." She laughed. I said, "What if I am so slow that they pack up before I am finished?"
She laughed again,"We could always tape a cheetah to your back."
IA is such a smart ass.
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