Sorry that this is a selfish post, but I am just so gushy that I actually did this and I wanted to share with folks who would understand.

Six months ago, I was a total couch potato. Some friends from college (also former couch potatoes) completed their first sprint triathlons and urged me to do the same -- they are traveling down to Florida to do my first race with me on May 9.

So in September, I started the couch to 5K running program. I took swim lessons. In November, I finally bought a bike -- not a road or a tri bike, just a Trek 7.3 (which I still think is the right bike for me). I also started doing spin classes in November, once a week.

I spent a lot of time on running and swimming, but not much on biking. Biking has scared me! Spin seemed a lot safer. In February, I went for a ride with my family, and did 11 miles total, of which 7 were off on my own at my own pace. That was the farthest I had ever gone (and I chickened out on using the clipless pedals).

Last weekend, I did a four hour "spin a thon" at our local Y to raise money. It was supposed to be a team thing, but I did all four hours myself. At the end, I just cried, I was so amazed that I actually did it.

So then some friends encouraged me to join them for a 38 mile group ride yesterday. I decided if I could spin 4 hours, I could hopefully handle 38 miles. And, I did! Not fast -- more because I stayed with the folks I was with, I really could have gone faster, based on my HR and how often I had to hit the breaks -- but I did it! It was so much fun as we ticked past the miles and my companions remarked "you've now ridden TWICE as far as you ever have before." THREE Times...FOUR times... It was amazing! Also, I sucked it up and used my clipless pedals, and that was awesome too (minor shin bruise at the first stop, but that was the worst of it -- by the end, I was a pro).

I DID IT! (and then I ran 3 miles today). I hardly recognize myself.

/end brag