Friday, October 24, 2008

Triathalon!

So I finally did it. I competed in a triathalon. It was a really small one, so don't get too excited, but it was enough for me right now, and hard, and so much fun. Holly was a good sport and did it with me, and I was so glad to have a friend. The day dawned cold and FREEZING. Most people were prepared for inclement weather. Not me. I heard rumors of rain and decided to take the optimistic approach. By the time the run came around I was squeezing about ten pounds of water out of my shirt and shorts, yes shorts. The swim was pretty short and it was held indoors, so you had to time yourself and your were started according to your time. I began to get a little suspicious that something had gone wrong in mine and Holly's expert timeing when we found ourselves at the very front of the line, ahead of many experienced triathaletes. Oh yeah, we'd halved the distance somehow. As my brother put it, we must have thought we were dolphins for a little while. It was a little humiliating being at the first of the line and being passed in .2 seconds, but what are you going to do? I panicked when I first hit the water and contemplated getting out, but I made myself keep going. The 12 mile bike ride was ok. There were a few big hills, and the rain and hail scared the crap out of me. I so did not want to fall. I was on a mountain bike, which slowed me down some, but let's face it, I wasn't going to be fast anyway. The low point was when one of the lead runners was neck and neck with me on the hill (I was on the bike, mind you.) I kept thinking, please just pass me end the humiliation...he did. The three mile run went better than I thought. In fact, when I reached an aide station they told me I only had one mile to go. I stopped and said What?! I thought for sure I had two more. That last mile felt great. All in all, it was a good experience, and I want to do it again next spring. We didn't get many pictures, but here is an after and before picture (it somehow got reversed).

We did it!!







And we thought it was cold BEFORE the race.

9 comments:

MAB said...

Heather, that is awesome! Congrats on your first Tri! I LOVED doing one last year, and would have trained for it again this year had I not been on vacation that weekend. I can't believe they have them so late in the season out there! Good for you!

syerke said...

Woo-Hoo Heather! I am so proud of you. That is freakin awesome. I love all your pics from Utah. Looks like you had a great time. I'm glad to have you back though too. I missed you!
Check out my bike adventure...yerke23.blogspot.com

syerke said...

Woo-Hoo Heather! I am so proud of you. That is freakin awesome. I love all your pics from Utah. Looks like you had a great time. I'm glad to have you back though too. I missed you!
Check out my bike adventure...yerke23.blogspot.com

Lauren said...

What a great story! I love the part about the runner passing you on the bike. I competed in a triathlon where 70-year-olds were passing me on the bike (they were on bikes too, but please...70?). It is great that you did the race...didn't you feel so tough when it was all done? Now that you have done one, you won't want to stop. They are so fun!

Live everyday to its fullest said...

Way to go Heather!!!!!! WOOHOO! That is soooo awesome! You sure have some guts to get out there on a nasty day and do a triathalon! Me, I'd have stayed home and watched TV and ate chocolate...oh wait, thats why you've lost the baby weight and I havent!!! HAHAHA miss you! You look great :)

Starley Family said...

Way to go Heather and Holly!!! Yes I can imagine being passed by everyone and the fleeting contemplation to hide. Nate felt so with the swim, I felt it with the bike. Thank goodness the run is last... Way to hang in there through the nasty weather and all. Way to go Mama of three!

JoDee said...

Hey! It's JoDee - saw your link at Kylie's blog and had to come take a peek. I'm so impressed at your triathalon skills - SO very cool!

Darby said...

I love triathlons! Congrats on your first one.

Patty said...

Good for you Heather. That is so awesome.