Tri for 30: Boom Down!!

I did it!!!! I completed my first sprint triathlon!! I say first, because there will certainly be more in my future!!!  The challenge is insane and the feeling of accomplishment is amazing.  I am a triathlete.
Here is a recap of how it went...

At the last minute I chickened out of using my "Mom Bike", complete with kid seat and all.  I decided to rent a road bike.  I was looking to buy one, but it turns out they cost a small fortune.  The bike I rented cost $700 to buy... to rent... $29.99.  Pretty easy decision!  I rented it on Wednesday to train and then returned it and rented again on Friday night to use for the race on Saturday morning.  There is a good reason that those bikes cost so much money- they are awesome.  My first time on it for training I took 20 minutes off of my time. Totally worth it.  To say I would have been embarrassed on my Mom Bike compared to the other competitors is a total understatement.

The morning of the race I was riding down the elevator with another person and he saw me in my workout gear and asked if I was going for an early morning run and I said, "No, I'm competing in my first triathlon this morning"  That was when it hit me that I was really doing this!! And then the nerves set in.  I got there and saw everyone and felt like a total rookie.  I began to second guess myself but then got mad at myself and told myself to suck it up.  It definitely helped that everyone was really nice and friendly.  It wasn't a super competitive atmosphere, just people out to have a good time.

I got my race bib and bag of goodies which included coupons from the sponsors and (shudder) a swim cap.  My vanity was already taking a shot thinking about the bike helmet, but now a swim cap too!??!! Great.

Then it was off to set up my transition area... I though, what the heck am I supposed to do now?? I totally copied off of everyone else and just set out my towel and sneakers to run.  Guess who forgot a bottle of water.  Oops!

So by now I'm all set up and it's freezing out and I'm starting to get nervous about how cold the water is and how I'm going to go into hypothermic shock and drown during the swim. People all around me are getting into their wet suits... while I stand there shivering.... and then I see Mason and Eric walking towards me.  What a relief.  I must point out that I have the most supportive family.  Eric is awesome for putting up with my endless training, stressing, and my poor time management... and for now trying to convince him to do a race with me!!

Finally time to walk over to the starting line and Mason yells to me (with some coaching) "Good luck Mom... Don't Drown!!" At that point, I had to laugh at myself, shake my nerves, and remember my goals.  Finish and don't be last.

The Swim:
Good news!! I didn't drown.  I did not train enough for the swim portion.  In hind sight, I should have swam more, and with people around me.  It is a totally different experience swimming with splashes, wake, and with someone running into you.  1/3 mile finished in 13 min 46 sec.  249th out of 292.  Not great, but not last!!!

The Bike:
I am pretty sure that they figured out a way to make the whole 16 mile bike course UP HILL!! It was hard... even on my sweet road bike.  Rookie mistake, I did not prep a bottle of water on the bike and there wasn't anywhere or any time to grab one.  Needless to say, I could really have used some water at about mile 10.  Despite the hills, I beat my personal best training time.  16 mile bike finished in 1 hr 4 min.  248 out of 292.  Still not great, but still not last again!!

The Run:
Eric threw me a bottle of water as I came through the transition area to drop my bike.  I could have dropped myself at that point, but I knew that I was over half way there and last up was my best discipline. I trained the most in running because it is the one thing that I can do with both kids... and the more I trained, the better I got, and the more I enjoyed it.  I am fiercely competitive so I was really happy that during the run was where I got to pass a few people!! ha ha.  As strange as it was, the 5K run after already swimming 1/3 mile and biking 16 miles was my personal best time.  It's hard to wrap my head around, except for that I was really warmed up.  The odd thing was that I think that I could have pushed myself harder running, but that is something to change up for the next time.  3.1 mile run completed in 24 min 53 sec.  120 out of 292.  Killed it!!

Overall:  1/3 mile swim, 16 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run completed in 1 hr 47 min.  226 place out of 292.  I accomplished my goals.  I finished.  I was not last.   What a great experience.  I am so incredibly proud of myself.  Only a little over a year after having a baby, setting a general goal of just getting in shape to loose that stubborn baby weight, and then 7 months later completing a sprint triathlon.  It makes me feel like there is nothing that I can't do.  As my family knows, my motto since I was very little has always been "I CAN!"  Well, I DID!!  Eric and Mason were at the starting line and at the end of every section of the race cheering me on, and at the finish line still cheering for me.  I am so incredibly lucky to have my family be my biggest cheerleaders.  Without them I am sure that I would not have been able to do it.

Tri for 30... that is what this started out as... a goal to do before I turned 30.  Now that I have, I feel more confident than ever, am in the best shape of my life, I'm ready to kick 30's ass, and actually looking forward to what my 30's  has to offer.  I have the "bug" and am already thinking ahead to future races and goals... I think maybe "Full Ironman Tri for 35" might be a good goal... hmm... better start training now!! ...and saving for a sweet road bike!! ha ha

Thank you to everyone who has cheered me on and supported me through this journey... it is much appreciated!!

Tri for 30: 5 days left...Oh shit.

5 Days left before the big race.  4 more training days.  Yeah, It's on Saturday.  Not the Saturday after next, but just Saturday. Oy. I thought I had more time.  Somehow the time got away from me.  Reality has struck and I just made my hotel reservation.  This will be the first night that I will have ever been away from Cooper and the first night away from Mason, besides from when Cooper was born and I had to stay in the hospital.
First, I don't think I trained enough.  Second, I don't have the right bike.  I have prospects of borrowing a nice road bike, but as I don't have it yet, I'm not counting on it.  Third, and the most ridiculous part, I don't know what to wear.
Training:  I got pigeon holed in running because I can do that with my boys.  I feel really good about the run.  Swimming... goal: don't drown.  I have swam the full distance so I know I can do it, I'm just a little nervous about swimming with other people around.  I need to make contact with a safety person and tell them to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't get held under.
Biking.  Sad fact #1: 5 days before the race and I have yet to do the whole distance.  It is 16 miles.  I have done 8 with Mason (36lbs) in the bike seat so that should count for more.  I plan on doing it today though so I will know how it will be.  Sad fact #2:  I feel like a total idiot in a bike helmet.  I know, I know, there is no vanity allowed in sports, but doesn't change the fact that I still feel stupid. Oh well, I'll get over it... they are mandatory.  I have no other choice.
What to wear... What to wear...  I know this should not be an issue, but unfortunately it is.  I need something that will transition from the water to the bike and still be ok for the run. Sweat suit- not a good idea.  I think I may need to just buy something.  Not a big fan of that since they are not cheap, but I guess it will last a long time and I'll have it for all future races- granted this one turn me off to future races.  I really doubt it will.  I think that my ridiculously intense competitive nature will love it.
I am probably down playing myself and letting my nerves make me think I'm not as ready as I really am.  I have worked hard, trained hard, and am fiercely competitive so I think I will do just fine.  Thats it... New Goal.... Screw Just finishing...Win.