you won't know until you tri

Well, I did it. I finished the race!

It was so much fun - much more fun than I anticipated. A beautiful day, warm water (about 72 degrees), cow bells, a cheering crowd, and words of encouragement throughout each stage.

Stage 1: a half-mile swim. Surprisingly to me, this was my best event. I remember thinking

upon entering the water, "how can I be swimming so fast?" It must have been adrenaline. I set a personal best for time. I'm not saying it was easy, but I did it, and did it pretty well!

Stage 2: a 17.2 mile bike. I don't really have a good biking picture. Finished five minutes faster than I anticipated. Excellent!

Stage 3: A 4.9 mile run. Here I am getting ready to head out on the course. I was confident this

was going to be my best stage, but actually, I ended up with a weird, sharp pain in my knee about a mile in. So, it took me a little longer than I would have liked, but you can bet I ran across that finish line!

(I'm not the one on the leash. As you can see, they're going the wrong way.)

While I am relieved it is over, I am proud of myself for this accomplishment. I proved to myself that when I put my mind to something, I can really do what I set out to do. A good lesson for many areas of life, I think.

Finally, here I am with my friend Dustin - who talked me into doing this crazy race. It was the first triathlon for us both - and something neither of us thought we'd ever do. Lucky for us we have great spouses and friends who encouraged and helped us along the way. And who took us out for a well-deserved cheeseburger and beer after the race!

the countdown begins

8 days until the rubber meets the road. And the body meets the water. And the pain begins.

I am excited! I am nervous! I am tired of training!

Focus for the next, let's say, 6 days. Swimming. I do not want to drown. Nor do I want to breast-stroke the whole time. Why must a 1/2 mile feel like an eternity when you're in the water?!

The very best part...the following weekend I leave for a week at the beach. I'd say a very nice reward for all of my hard work, no?

it's official

I am now a registered participant in the Reeds Lake Triathlon! No backing out now!

I can't wait to put all of my training to the test.

So, let me share one very disturbing facet of the whole training process. I have not lost one pound! Not a one! What the?

And I'm working my butt off. Oh, how I miss my 20 year old metabolism, or whatever. Seriously, if that damn scale doesn't move, I'm gonna lose it.

can i get an advil?

Today was indeed a tuffy. Swam 18 laps in the pool - which is a wee bit over my half-mile race distance (wee). Followed by a three mile run. My calves hurt.

Now my "coach" - a true Ironman himself - has suggested I gear up further. Apparently I now need Aero Bars for my bike. I have no idea what they run, but I'm guessing they're not cheap. My little personal challenge is becoming slightly pricey! I better be sure to finish the race!

in training

Sorry I have been absent as of late. I've been just slightly consumed with a new goal I set for myself once my birthday hit. Milestones tend to do that to you, don't they? Anyway, I have decided to partake in a triathlon in September - and have been training for the last month+!!!

I am nervous and excited all at the same time. The course is considered a "sprint" of sorts - half-mile swim, 17.2 mile bike, and 4.9 mile run. Although certain elements of the race are a bit daunting, I know now that physically, I can do it. The race is September 12, so the next few weeks are critical!

I rode my bike for 20 or so miles today, but I'm not sure if I can count it. It was on a flat trail, and really, not that hard. Oh, and I stopped for lunch halfway through. So no, I guess that doesn't count - which means tomorrow is going to be a killer!