For years I have had had this dream, of accomplishing some really big sports goal. The kind where the crowds are yelling as you cross the finish line, drenched in sweat, hands high in triumph – you get the picture right?

The problem being – I have never been the athletic type of person. I swam competitively in high school ( which was 40 years ago!), have run a few charity runs in the last couple years and occasionally appease my conscience by walking for an hour a couple times a week.  And then I heard about the Herzliya Women’s Triathlon. Their slogan is “Every Woman a Winner”.

I was totally intrigued. Every woman?  Even a 58 year old, out of shape woman? A GRANDMOTHER woman? She too – a winner?

Now a triathlon, for those not in the know, is a combination of three different things – open water swimming, cycling and running.

The cruel facts were – I had never swum in the sea, I did not know how to ride a bike, and running…well, let’s just say this was not my strong point.

Eight months before the date of the Tri I took my first cycling lesson.  I was totally terrified.  I surrendered to a grueling training schedule, asking myself  as I tumbled  out of bed at 5.00am every morning “Why on earth am I doing this?!”

And a month ago, I joined 1500 women, of all ages, all sizes on the most incredible journey. 750m swim in the ocean, 20 km bike ride, followed by a 5 km run.

My two adult children ran the last leg with me – one on each side, not letting me give up, pushing me on.

And I did indeed cross that finish line; what a rush – I still sometimes can’t believe I actually did it!