The Triathlon!

took this picture with my phone right after- that's my (Eric's) bike in the background.

I did it! WOOO! So here's the play by play.

800 meter SWIM: Not fun. At all. I almost had a panic attack at 100m in, afraid they were going to have to pick me up in a rescue boat. I just could not breathe right. So I did my froggy swim for a while until I calmed down. Then alternated between regular swim, frog, and backstroke. Every time I did backstroke I went off course though, one time the guys in the rescue boat even had to blow their whistle at me! Halfway through the ladies from the next division (age 30-39, who started 5 minutes behind me) started passing me, sad! By probably 500m I started getting into some kind of rythym, but I was still not enjoying myself, just trying to survive! At least I believed I could finish at that point though. By the time I could see the end I was finally feeling okay, but I was so happy to run out of that water and wave to Eric and the girls, run over a grass hill and into the transition area.

Place: 30th out of 34 women in age 25-29 division. Time, 22:24, my goal was 23 minutes- the fastest I had done it in practice- so I was happy.

12 mile BIKE: Decent. The transition went well, I didn't take too long taking off my wetsuit, I did it in just under 4 minutes which was my goal. Riding the bike I felt good, climbed the hills well, passed a couple of people. But I can see why, if you want to be a competitive triathlete, you need a road bike! On the downhills those road bikes were flying past me, and I was going as fast as my bike could physically go I think. So that was a little frustrating. I felt a little like the amateur that I am, but it felt good to be pushing myself to ride faster than I ever had. The course was 2 loops, and I was so happy Eric did a great job being at just the right place so they could see me both times. The girls always looked so confused for a second, but then they would get it like "oh! that's mom!" and then smile and wave as I called out to them. So cute.

Place: 27th out of 34 Time: 49:14- my goal was an hour, but I had never really tested my limits on the bike before so I had no idea how fast I could go.

5k (3.1mile) RUN: My transition from bike to run was less than a minute, I was amazed. I guess I was just so excited to finally get to the part of the race I was good at! So I started the run, and about 400 meters in I turned a corner and saw the next several people ahead of me up the street WALKING! I couldn't believe it! I quickly caught up to and passed each one, then ran a few more blocks, turned a corner and saw a pretty big, long hill with TONS of people walking! A few would run for a second and then stop to walk again! I was just amazed- here were these people who had kicked my behind in the swim and the bike, and they were walking. Weak! So I got a big smile on my face and zipped up the hill, saying "good job" and "you can do it" to people as I went by. I was genuine, I really do like to encourage people, I guess it's the coach in me. :) But some of them probably were bugged as I cheerfully passed them on that hill! It was hot by this point and I was really pushing myself, so luckily I soon came to the water stop and was handed a cup and cheered on by one of my former athletes that I coached at Provo High! He was a great kid, now a happily married returned missionary who's applying for med school ( I had talked to him before the race) I just love to see those guys and girls turn out so well. :) Anyway the water totally rejuvenated me and I just kept up the pace, stopped counting after I passed my 25th person (every one was running now, after that hill!), and felt great. My thoughts kept alternating between "yeah, you killed me on the swim and bike but look who's passing you now, ha-HA!" (when I passed someone)(unfortunately if it was a woman older than me, she had started 5 minutes later and probably still beat me overall if I passed her in the second half of the run- there were some amazing older women out there!) and "why did I put myself through that swim???? THIS is what I love! Running, running running, woo-hoo!"

So I had a good kick at the end and was so so happy about the running part.

Place: 3RD out of 34 in my age group! Oh yeah! Time: 21:41, an awesome time for me!

Overall: Place in my age group: 21 out of 34 Place out of all women: 74 out of 140. Time: 1:38:04

Overall thoughts: I'm really glad I did it. It was fun to try different types of exercise, and I do like biking. I'm excited to continue to bike for cross-training. Swimming however- let's just say that we're not friends yet. I only swam 8 times for practice though, and I was getting better at it. So there's hope for the future, it's just SO difficult for me to fit swimming into my family's schedule. Except for the summer time, we live 30 minutes from a pool. So that's lots of gas and time. Then you have to PAY to swim. And I can't just pull my children along on a raft with me, someone else has to watch them! Maybe if I was one of those people who lives close to their parents or in-laws and drops their children off all the time there for whatever reason, I could actually train effectively for swimming. But since I'm not.... maybe someday it'll work out better. For now, I've rediscovered my best friend, Running. I'm so grateful that I love it, because lots of people don't, and it's the easiest way to exercise if you have 2 children or less that aren't in school. :)

Anyway, the triathlon was really cool and I'm already forgetting how horrible the swim was. I'm too competitive, I'm sure it's going to bug me that I was so wimpy and afraid on that swim. So maybe in a few years when I get bored of running again I'll tackle it again. And next time I'll rent a road bike. :)

P.S. Eric forgot the camera so I have no pictures. :) But he has been SO supportive and great through this whole process, I love him and am so grateful that even though he doesn't like to do these things with me, he was kind enough to be a great dad while I went to run, bike or swim childlessly a couple of times a week. It's a relief to be done!