Triathlon Recap

I'm back from Idaho! And happy to say not only did I finish my second sprint triathlon, but I beat my time by, wait for it, ONE whole minute! I came in at 1:28:06 - third in my age division. Yes, I am relieved. Yes, I am a delirious mix of happy and exhausted. And, yes, I am very, very sore.

A recap:

The race started with a 5k run, but I don't have any pictures of the run (thank goodness!) because my mom and I didn't realize that our wave started at 7:00 a.m. and not 7:30, so we'd inadvertently told our cheerleaders and photographer, a.k.a. family members, to show up a half hour late.

My mom and I arrived at the race with about ten minutes to check in, set up our transition areas, make a quick bathroom break, and dash for the starting line. In fact, I could hear the announcer yelling, "Thirty seconds to wave one," as I sprinted out of the restrooms. I was screaming at my mom to go to the starting line, and she was yelling at me to grab the energy bars. By the time we made it to the starting line, the gun had gone off and we were already out of breath. From sprinting, and from laughing. I can't imagine how frantic we must have looked.

Here I am leaving the transition area to head into the 20k cycling portion. I was so exhausted I could barely get my leg over the seat. I think I'm going to make this my profile pic on Facebook. What do you think?

I told my sister NOT to take any pictures of my backside. Clearly she is a good listener.

With my sister after the swim portion. That explains why my hair is a total mess. But I am smiling - I'm finished!!



This was my mom's fifth sprint triathlon in five years!



Last but not least, a few pics of my mom and me with our cheerleaders!

Triathlon!

I can't believe it's here! I've been training for this sprint triathlon for eight weeks, and I'm suddenly wishing I had about five more. Last-minute jitters for sure! Tomorrow morning I fly to Salt Lake City, followed by a drive up to Pocatello, Idaho, where the triathlon will be held. (My mom lives in Pocatello and will be doing the triathlon with me. Yes, my mom is hardcore.)

I competed in this triathlon three years ago, and while I didn't train for it then, I was in a lot better shape than I am now. That was pre-Hush, Hush--back before writing took over my life. In a good way, of course. But still. Writing has become a huge part of my life and takes up a substantial amount of time. I've spent the past year working hard to balance my writing life with my family, and this summer I felt a big desire to get back in shape by making my physical health more of a priority. Maybe next year I'll tackle regaining a social life, ha!

Here are my 2008 times for the Pocatello Sprint Triathlon:

5k run - 21:02
20k bike - 48:17 (This isn't as abysmal as it looks; I was on a mountain bike.)
500 meter swim - 19:51 (This, however, is pathetic!)
Overall time - 1:29:10

The plan this year is to start slower and gradually build through the race. I want to shave a few minutes off the bike portion, and I really, really want to have the energy at the end to nail the swim. I've been a runner for years; now I want to prove to myself that I can bike and swim.

Part of me hopes I do really well, especially since I've trained so hard. Another part of me hopes this is a huge wake-up call and makes me realize I really do need to leave my desk a few times a week to work out. We'll see what happens!

In the meantime, I am packed, pumped, and ready to go!

GU energy gel packs? CHECK
Goggles? CHECK
Cute but functional triathlon tankini from Athleta? CHECK
Running shoes? CHECK
Box of See's Candies to celebrate with, post-race? CHECK


Wish me luck!!

-Becca