Bringing up the Rear...

It's funny how it happens, but I think if everyone was honest (completely honest) they would have to admit that no one wants to come last in a race.  I often wonder how it would feel to be right at the back, following everyone else's footsteps.
Last night at the Lake City Athletics Clubs 'Trout Fly' race, I came last!!!
I actually have dreaded this in my own mind for years and always been proud of the fact that I do not think in my 37yrs of life, I have ever come last in a competition.  Having been a competitive gymnast all those years ago, I trained really hard and had my fair share of wins, was a middle of the packer, came pretty close to the end but I think from memory - never last..
Then growing up, I have done a few other races like half marathons both walking and running, duathlon's, triathlons etc and I have always dreaded coming last and so have busted myself to escape this pain and humiliation....
I can safely say now that coming last doesn't involve pain, humiliation or anything that my mind has created over the years.  I did not get struck down by lightening.  I did not come in crying as I was so far behind everyone else.  I did not give up just because all I could see was the back of everyone else's shirts way off in the distance.  It was actually quite the opposite.  I urged myself along, challenging myself to run quicker past the sewerage station (for obvious reasons!) and then even had enough in my tank to do a little sprint down the finish chute!!  There at the end, was a group of lovely athletes all cheering for me and calling my name and I felt so chuffed with myself for finishing. I actually didn't care that I was last.  I had just run 5.4km in 36 mins and was really stoked with myself!
So there ya are.  Don't worry about the elusive 'last place'.  I was out there doing it and was running my own race and that's all that mattered to me.  So get out there and challenge yourself!!

About Me

This is the first blog of many and so bear with me while I muddle my way through and work out how this whole blog thing works.  Such as it is, my 13yr old daughter (14 on Wednesday!) taught me how to set up this blogsite.. Technology just blows me away as does what teenagers appear to know.
Anyhow - the meaning of my Blogpage - "A Kidd can do Ironman too".... I am Steff 'Kidd', 37 yrs old, married with 3 children and am about to embark on the biggest and scariest ride I have ever rode in my life.  I am going to do Ironman.  For a moment excuse me while I rundown an extremely watered down history of this madness....
Here's what happened... I made a bold statement a few years back that I was going to do an Ironman before I was 40. It just popped out in the heat of the moment and all because of a chance meeting with an inspirational lady, Jacky James (check out her page - www.ironjack.co.nz).  I hold her personally responsible for this chaos!!  (I love being able to blame others for my crazyness!)  I don't know why I said it... I didn't know how I was going to do it... I sure as hell didn't know when (or with who) - but there it was...  Being a woman of my word, this goal has floated about for the last few years as I had my ups and downs struggling with family life, injury, busyness blah blah blah - excuses excuses!  Funny how I not only am really good at blaming others for my crazyness, but can also procrastinate with the best of them.  If it was a sport, I would be in the finals hands down... So there it is.. My blogs are going to follow my highs, my lows, my short term goals, my long term goals, my successes, my failures, my training, the impact on myself-my husband-my family and probably lots more.  I hope it doesnt bore you to tears and you continue to follow as I hope that others will join my ride and get out there and achieve their dreams/aspirations or long term goals.  Ironman 2014 - Here I come!