One positive thing about blogging is that it sometimes pushes you to go beyond what you are comfortable with.  I started the blog with the idea of maybe, perhaps, in the future doing an IronMan and here I am, registered for IronMan Florida 2013.  I began with the idea of getting some sponsors along the way, and here I am, with the support from the folks at Ultrabikex who really do go out of their way to help me.

So when Andreas from Ultrabikex told me that they would be bringing the inaugural XTERRA Triathlon to Key Biscayne, I volunteered to help spread the word.  I didn’t know, at the time, that I was volunteering to do the actual race which is far past my comfort zone.

To give you an idea, the XTERRA Key Biscayne entails a half mile open water swim, a ten mile mountain bike trail ride, and a four mile trail run.  It will be held in Virginia Key, Florida, linking the historic park and the bike trails at the end of Arthur Lamb Road. 

This is familiar territory for South Florida triathletes including me.  I live on Key Biscayne and ride weekly in Virginia Key where the race takes place.  I recognize most of the map: the plant, the parking lots and the road.  I’ve never actually swam on that side of the key yet the swim is my strength and I am not concerned about it.  But the orange line goes through unchartered territory.  Parts seem to be run ocean side so that should provide some beautiful views.  And the red ones? Well, though I have literally ridden  hundreds of times in front of the entrance to the bike trails (the squiggly red lines on the map above), I have never actually gone inside the trail.  I have been known to do fifty to seventy miles going round and round on the three mile “Virigina Key loop”.  The turnaround is directly in front of where the mountain bike trails begin.   Thinking about it, since I fear the road and cars so much, it would make sense for me to become a mountain biker.  But I know how to ride a road bike, I’ve learned to ride a tri bike, but the thought of having my feet bound onto a mountain bike and go through a trail is terrorizing to me.

I do confess I have thought about heading into the trails.  One reason I don’t is the fear above but the other, more practical reason is that I don’t own a mountain bike.  What I have is a rusted, old, hand-me-down bike which I use to ride around Key Biscayne or when I ride with the boys.  At least my feet would not be clicked in, but I am not sure my current ride would survive the trail.

On the other hand, I can’t say I am not curious.  I have many friends, several IRON friends that live and breathe mountain biking.  They are total converts and many compete in the XTERRA series (and the Key Biscayne race does count for the series points).  So here I have an opportunity to try something different without the stress of having to “compete”.  It is so new to me, and so different, that I can really do it for fun and to see what it is that people rave about.  Who knows? It might open a whole new world to me.

But I still have the bike issue: I don’t have a mountain bike.  Once again, Ultrabikex comes to the rescue.  If like me, you don’t have a mountain bike but want to do the race, they have several available for rental.

So it looks like will be debuting my total lack of mountain bike and trail running skills on May 12 at the XTERRA Key Biscayne.  Want to join me? You can register on Active but you have to hurry as space is limited.

If you are a company and are interested in sponsoring this event opportunities are still available.  Just contact James (see his card below) at Ultrabikex.

I’ll keep you posted on how this whole thing went but wish me luck as I once again head into uncomfortable terrain.