My First Triathlon.

About a year and a half ago Jason did his first triathlon.  I really wanted to be happy for him, I tried to be, but I was so sad that I couldn't do it, that I had let myself go so far that I could not have finished the race or if I could have finished it would have probably not been very enjoyable. 
At that time I was kind of starting my journey that I'm still on today, and not being able to do the triathlon really got me to start working harder at what I was trying to accomplish.  About 1 year ago we got new neighbors and God answered my prayers with my friend now, Sheila.  She's a personal trainer and took me under her wing and helped me get back into working out.  I had been praying that God would just bring someone into my life to really be able to help me, get me going.  At just the right times God has brought people into my life to help and encourage me.  So much has happened, has changed since that first early (!) morning run with her.  I have completed a 1/2 marathon and now the triathlon!!
I did a sprint triathlon sponsored by the YMCA.  It was a 350 yd swim, 13 mile bike and a 5k (3.1 mile) run.  I had SO much fun and am really glad that I did not attempt the triathlon a year ago, I think it would have been very discouraging to me. 
Jason was such a huge part in getting me ready.  It was great that he has done the triathlons because he told me what to expect and got me to unload some training items (socks/gloves) so I could get a better transition time.  I felt so comfortable the morning of the race, half the battle was knowing all the stuff Jason had told me about.  (Thanks, Jas!!)
First was the swim.  I really was quite comfortable swimming (I'm sure I didn't look the greatest though, gotta work on that stroke), I just looked down at the lane line and focused on my strokes.  I would get a little look around at each breath, but overall I could not really see all the flailing bodies around me.  I taught myself how to do the flip turns (which I'm sure the life guards got a good laugh from) :) and I'm so glad that I did, I didn't have to stop and see the chaos, but was able to keep a good motion and keep my head down.  It kind of got hectic at the end of the swim, everyone speeding up in the last two lanes, but overall it went so much better than I thought and I did it a minute faster than my training swims have been!!
The bike, ahhhhh... my favorite and strongest section.  I went ALL out.  During the ride I would see people coasting down the hills and be like "thank you", "thank you" - I was able to pass people that way because I used the hill to my advantage by pedaling and keeping a good pace down the hills and not coasting.  I was excited because only a few people passed me and I passed more people then the number of people that passed me (if that makes sense).  My legs were toast for the run, but I knew that I could push harder on the bike and get a better time than I could on the run.  My bike time was great for me and my run time actually ended up being right where I normally am.  I was not able to race at a faster pace, but was happy that I was not slower than my training pace. 
I won't get into all the times for the swim, bike, run and transitions, but just my overall time.  I wanted to finish in under 2 hrs and did it in 1.33.25!!! 
I had a "list" of things I wanted to do before we had kids:  Skydive - done.  Hike the Grand Canyon - done.  Run a marathon - done.  Triathlon - did not do.  At first I was thinking how I could have done so much better if I had done a triathlon before I had kids and that's probably true, I may have been faster, but it was so great having all 3 kids screaming at the top of their little lungs for me and ringing the cow bell!!  I loved it and what a great thing for them to be able to see - people coming together and working their hardest racing, seeing all the benefits from their training.  I love that Jason and I are examples to the kids of trying to be healthy and exercising.  Even if they don't race, that's not what is important.  I just want them to know the importance of taking care of the bodies that God gave them and if racing is a part of that, then great and if not, then great too!
I would love to do more triathlons, but now is not my season to pursue more triathlons.  I have the kids to focus on and I am happy to train for just running events - next big race - Governor's Cup 1/2 marathon in November.  Anyone want to join me?