Triathlon

The day has finally come and gone! It was AWESOME! Last year I decided to train for this triathlon to help get back in shape after having Hadley. I knew how much I wanted to feel like myself again, but I also knew that I needed a goal and a timeline that would push me, but also not break me. I have been training since the first of the year, but REALLY specifically training for the last 12 weeks. It has been a hard road and a lot of discouraging days thinking I would never be able to accomplish this goal. I have a long history of running, but as far a biking and swimming, I haven't done either of those since I was like 10. I was most nervous about the swimming in the beginning so I signed for a swimming class to help build technique. The instructor is a very good triathlete and was an awesome teacher. I didn't end up making it to all 6 classes at 6 in the morning, but the ones I did make really helped.

Now, I was determined to focus on the biking. Just for the record, biking is WAAAY harder than I thought. It kicked my booty big time. The course has tons of mountains hills:) It is flat out hard to ride when you aren't a biker. I was really really not liking biking, but I made myself go the course 2 times a week and would hate every single second. In the end, living close to the course and forcing myself to go really helped me to know it like the back of my hand. I know every turn, every hill, every cow :) We became close buddies :)

Overall, I felt prepared and ready for today. My goal was to do it in an 1:45 min and to not walk any of the running portion. I was able to complete both of those. My final time was 1 hr. 32 min. It felt great to be done in a lot of ways. Here are some pics that Josh took. Which by the way, he has been the BEST supporter through this journey. He helped motivate and encourage me on the days I had to work harder than I thought possible and he helped me to see the light at the end. He was soooo excited for the race, he helped me set up the night before and getting all my gear out and organized. He was even so excited he woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. I heard the coffee pot at 4:45 and then he came in to wake me up with a big happy smile. I love him and how excited he gets!

This is first thing in the morning. Everyone getting their bikes in place

Very Early...getting ready to get started

The swimming line. It was sooo long.  I had to wait an hour to start.

I'm about ready to start.  I have the white shirt on, about to jump in

Swimming (can you find me :)  

Transition 1

Getting ready to ride

It looks like I'm all alone out there...we got all spread out after the swim and transition.

All done :)

If you look to the left you will see my dad in the green shirt timing me.  Him and my mom came this weekend to cheer me on and to help with HG.  I'm so thankful for sweet parents who are always willing to help out.  I don't think I had to twist my moms arm to bad since the request had Hadley written all over it :)  Thanks guys for coming.  We all had a lot of fun.  It wouldn't have been the same without you. 

So, now that goal is down and I'm thinking about the next.  I will stay in my comfort zone this time and just run a 1/2 marathon in November.  It will be a different challenge, so we will see if I miss the biking and swimming.  Probably not, but I will definitely do more triathlons.  They are exciting and draw a fun group of competitors.  Overall, great experience and I can't wait for next year, well maybe, but I'll be ready either way!