I'm officially a triathlete!!

This was my first triathlon. I had trained for about 3 months coming off of about 2 years of nothing. A while after baby #2 (who is now 4), I decided it was time to get back into shape, and lost over 70lbs. I was almost to my goal weight and God surprised us with another blessing- I was pregnant with our third. I had to stop all activity because of problems with my hips, back, headaches, ribs (well, you get the idea)- that was basically the 2 years off of everything. I had started going to physio last about Oct. and it was going great. She told me that I could finally start exercising- you know- sweating- again and I was thrilled! I started slow and by the end of May, I told her I had decided to do my first triathlon. She was a huge help!! I found this great website that had a plan- Couch to Sprint tri in 12 weeks, and started following it. It felt good to be exercising again!

Okay... the actual triathlon... I finished and I felt great! That was my goal and I achieved it. Now, being a competitor like I am at heart, I wasn't really happy with the overall time, but I finished and I felt great!!

The swim was so much harder than I expected. I grew up swimming in lakes and even swam at the actualy lake one day, but this day was different. I started out and couldn't catch my breath, then I heard wheezing and was wondering who that was coming from until I realized it was me!! That kind of freaked me out a bit!! I slowed down and just kept thinking- I want to finish- with my husband and kids to see me- and I want to feel great! Finally about half way, I felt like I had caught my breath enough to try freestyle again, but caught some water and started choking really bad. I just kept thinking- I will finish even if I have to float in, so finished with breaststroke and sidestroke.

The bike was great. I knew my time wouldn't be exceptional due to the fact that I was on a mountain bike with slicks, but I did my best- my best time ever actually. The roads were terrible- glad I didn't get a flat tire- because there were a few!!

The run was hard. I think this was because I didn't get enough sports drink on the bike due to the roads. My shoulders were really getting tight, so it was work to just keep them from going into spasm (as has happened before). It was so great to be able to come around the last corner and see my husband and girls along with friends yelling for me! I ran as hard as I could to cross the finish! A friend was there and had asked a volunteer if he could put the medal around my neck, which was really special, since he and his wife were some of my inspiration to do this in the first place!! Good thing he and my husband was there too- to hold me up as I just about collapsed. I needed sugar- fast!!

Okay, so my ramblings have come to an end. I'm a little sore today, but feeling great. My oldest daughter finished her first triathlon on Sat. and came in 3rd in her age group!! She's ready to do another this coming weekend if she could- but I think I will wait a little longer! hahaha!!

~Rachelle