Her students were practicing interviewing skills and she thought that my Ironman experiences would make an interesting subject for her students.
I agreed and was looking forward to it! I was really excited about sharing my triathlon experiences but was also worried...
Worried about what?
Well, for those of you who know me, when I get excited I do not stop talking. DO NOT STOP TALKING. And I laugh and I giggle and I talk faster and faster and go and go and go until I sort of come to and sit there out of breath and think to myself, "Whew, what did I just say?" Hahahahahahahaha!!
Additionally, I was concerned that in my zeal of talking about all things triathlon I would let a curse word slip out (or worse, more than one.) Truthfully, that was my biggest fear. You have no idea how I kept coaching myself, "Julie, DO NOT SWEAR!"
Thank goodness I had the foresight to wear a tank top to the class -- I was sweating like a pig I was so nervous. (And did you know that Wally's World sells some great quality workout gear now? I am totally not kidding! Their clothing used to be total crap, but I bought two Lululemon-type tank tops --- the kind with the bra cups in them -- for $15 each! And a pair of running capris and shorts too -- great quality. On this same tangent, Wally's World in Pincher also have the best fresh beets that I can buy around here, lol.)
Back to sweating like a pig.
The kids started off the exercise by introducing themselves one by one and then they started asking questions. I found it challenging talking to people who have NO IDEA about triathlon. I have been isolated from normal people for so long in my tri-bubble world, that I quickly realized I had a hard time explaining things using non-tri terminology -- as well as explaining concepts about training, etc.
There were some really insightful questions by the kids and I had a great time -- especially talking about how I ate 42 eggs a week, heh-heh-heh.
As the class drew to a close (say around 5 minutes before the bell), everyone promptly started shuffling their books/papers together and started getting ready to leave. I was in the middle of answering a question and was like, "Oh...I remember doing this as a kid." Hahahaha -- nothing personal lady, but we want to get outta here. :)
The best part about this little exercise was the gift my friend presented me about a week later -- she had compiled some of the reports the kids had written into a duotang, which the students had all signed! It was so cute and awesome I almost cried!!!
To the kids in that English class: thank you guys for the experience -- you guys were awesome., I had a blast and was so happy that I:
- Did not swear.
- Did not wear a t-shirt that would have had major armpit sweat happening
- Managed to be somewhat coherent
Recovery after Ironman Canada went great! I started doing yoga and weights 3 times a week and can not believe how even a tiny bit of yoga has eliminated all pain -- all those niggles that I thought I just had to put up with. I am a total convert.
A cheap convert however. Youtube has a zillion FREE online yoga classes for all levels of ability. You have no idea how satisfied I feel at saving money by not taking a class.
Ironman Cozumel is November 25 and I am sooooo excited to return to the island to see all my new friends I made earlier this year! I will be armed with a load of pink water bottles to distribute out to my new buds!! YAY!
All for now!
:) :)
