The new drug of choice

I'm a 43 year old female who unlike many of you am not returning after a long hiatus from an active youth. I never participated in sports, be it HS-cross country, college swim team, or even leisurely bike rides with my family. However, couch potato doesn't really describe me. I'm active just not in an athletic way. I've remodeled many houses, coached youth sport teams, organized more fund-raisers and events than I can remember and begin my day at the crack of dawn and finally lay my head down long after my family has retired. Due to a dare from my older sister, in January 2002 I participated in the San Diego Marathon. With no training, I walked 26.2 miles in 7 and ½ hours. No world record, but my personal best. I finished!

This past July, life challenged our family. We lost our 16 year old son, Kyle. As I've struggled to cope with what is life's greatest challenge, I took on the slogan "It's five o'clock somewhere" this was short lived. Never being much of a drinker prior to his death, I never acquired the taste for alcohol. It numb the pain and allowed for a momentary escape but the negatives, many, outweighed any potential therapeutic value. My brother, an avid believer that exercise and proper diet is the best drug has encouraged me to get those natural drugs; endorphins working for me.

So I've decided to start training for an Olympic tri. Kyle. a natural athlete (triple diamond expert skier, NAUI scuba diver, sailor, cross country runner and skier) would have turned 18 on the 29th of September 2004 and in his memory I want to complete a tri. This past November I took swimming lessons at the Y and can now swim the complete length of the pool with good form and ease. My next obstacle is riding a bike. I haven't been on one in over 30 years. I'm planning on a spinning class at the local gym to start. I live in Vermont and the high today will be negative 8 degrees, so riding outdoors is prohibited for the next few months. I have never run any distance, that will be my greatest obstacle. What I do have, is a tenacity which has gotten me through more than one tough situation.

I would certainly appreciate any encouragement, guidance and advice in my quest to complete my first triathalon in memory of our Kyle Christopher Stone, a remarkable young man.

With my hand in yours,

Terri Stone