I am a triathlete!

I completed a little triathlon today. It was very short - 100m swim, 3 mile bike, and a 1 mile run.

It was more of a mental challenge than a physical one, though I wouldn't call it easy. I really want to to go home once I arrived because I was by far the biggest person there, and felt really out of place. I struggle a lot with figuring out my "new identity" because I don't look like a normal athlete. But, I did not leave, so I figured I already won.

It was 55 degrees, and hurricaine like winds. (maybe not quite but it was very very windy). The water was 54 degrees. Sooo not the most optimal conditions. It was too short of a swim to bother with a wet suit, so I went with out and just swam in my tri top/shorts.

The swim - I couldn't breath. The cold sucked my breath away and then I panicked and really couldn't breathe. There was just no where to go so I never actually got to swim much. Other than the temperature though, it was fun.

When I got out, I was frozen. Couldnt feel anything, especially my feet. I got my shoes and race # on pretty quick, and then had a 2 minute fight with my helmet. My fingers were too frozen to buckle it. Eventually I got it.

Bike was nice - I loved it. Before last night, I hadn't been in an actual bike in years - just spinning, and had never been on a road bike. I was a little nervous that I wouldnt be able to ride it, but it worked out well. I passed a lot of people on the bike once I made it past the first 1/4 mile. Right out of the transition area was a tiny steep hill. Since I had no forward momentum, I made it half way before I tumbled off the bike and walked about 15 feet. There was one big hill that I had no problems climbing though. (going down wasn't as much fun since 1) I had no experience and no confidence riding and 2) the pot holes scared the crap out of me).

T2 was just a drop off since I didn't change shoes or add anything.

I had to walk the first 1/4 mile because it was up a steep little hill and wasn't quite used to the wobbly legs. But after that it was a slow jog the rest of the way.

I think my total time was 39 min with 9 mins in T1/T2. I came in 35th/57 women.

This was the greatest thing I've done. I felt great physically. I definitely could have done the sprint distance(except the swim - tooo cold without a wet suit). Mentally - it was just what the doctor ordered.

I had to wait around for a couple hours ( they delayed the start twice!) but I had a lot of time to think and did a lot of thinking about the first time I went to the gym at 420 lbs and how I would have never even have been able to do this. Hell, i hated going to the grocery store and walking from my car. It may have been what kept me from leaving after I felt the water and being assaulted by the wind. I absolutely love this new life I have and I'm looking forward to many more races.



This was one of the greatest

Congratulations to you!! What an awesome gift to yourself.

awesome!  i love tri's, something about pushing yourself for three very distinct disciplines and the prep work you have to do for each makes finishing very satisfying.  hope you catch the bug!

When I find a warm water swim .

This is so awesome! Congrats!!

Yeah! 30min to do all of that- amazing!!  Sounds like it was a lot of fun too :)

I've got 2 questions for ya; Where's the pics? and When's the next one?!?

:Danni

The next one is April in Napa with a wet suit and I'll post pics in my blog later tonight. I have to upload the couple I have. I'm hoping they will post race pics soon!

Congrats!

Good for you!

Don't worry about not looking like a "typical" athlete. Triathlon attracks all types. You'll see it more at the bigger events. Plus, while you are going down in weight, you can be in the Athena category and, besides having a cool name, everyone in your wave will be bigger so you'll fit right in. 

Congrats!!  That's awesome!

I'm not sure I'll ever have the guts to get onto a road bike, so you get high respect from me!!