... and they're probably right

Almost everyone I've approached with this notion of running a triathlon has had the same, two-word reaction: "You're insane."

There have been exceptions.

One friend briefly considered entering the race as well, but he's got a wedding in August.

My BFF, while noting that I was definitely a couple sandwiches short of a picnic, said she would be supportive in any way she could, as long as it did not involve actually running, biking or swimming.

Pauly, who turns 43 the weekend of the race, put it this way: "More like a 400-metre swim, 10-k bike ride and 2.5-k ambulance trip ... not how I want to spend my birthday.

(The only person whose immediate reaction was supportive was my ex. "Oh, absolutely, you should do it," she said. That's when I reminded her my life insurance is payable to our daughter.)

Motivation is difficult when you haven't got a training partner. I've been waffling the last couple of days. Finally, this afternoon, I registered online for the Toronto Island Give-it-a-try. My motivation: I just put $55 into it. I'm cheap enough that for that money, I will put myself through hell.