I DID IT!

Ok, it looks like the specific times for each sport aren't going to be posted for awhile.  So I'll do a brief report here, and finish editing the race report and make it public when those times are available.

It was COLD!  After several days of warm, spring weather, a cold front moved into the area.  45 flipping degrees!!!!  I got to the race right before 5:00 and was fortunate to run into and meet Leslie from the Tri-Girls group.  Walked over to the transition area with her and got set up.  (THANK YOU PirateGirl for that transition checklist.  It really helped.)  After bodymarking, I hung with Leslie and her sister, and later Shari, until the race started.  Froze my feet while waiting

I was in the first wave.  Failed to catch my breath adequately after the first couple of laps, and by lap 5 I was thrashing in the water and seriously considering bailing out.  Instead, I paused, focused on technique, and figured I'd do a few more laps.  Well, 6 turned into 11 which turned into 16, then 22 and finally 33.  The lap counters did have to have me move over to the single lane to finish the last 5 laps so that they could get the next wave started.  Zilla really helped me get through those last laps. (THANK YOU!)

Finally got out of the pool and to the transition area.  Decided to ditch the tri-top in favor of the long-sleeved shirt.  Good choice.  Had a little indecision with the bottoms; ended up with just the tri-shorts and it was fine.

Bike was fine -- I could really feel the difference from the last time that I rode outside.  All of those hot dates paid off -- I'll just need to do bunches more to improve my speed and time.  Most of the bike route was good; the noticible exception was the mile on Euclid.  Potholes and bumpy patches abound.  I was very glad to see the end of that road.  Lots of people passed me; many shouted out encouragments!

Back to transition.  Switched back to the tri-top and I was off -- sort of.  Took me about a 1/2 milefor my legs to get over the bike.  Did lots of walking interspersed with some running.  Caught up with Leslie at one point and we walked together for a while.  Speculated about how another racer could stand having "the girls" bounce about.  She and I are both fans of good support. 

Finally made it back to the finish line.  Yes, I came in "last": 305/305.  But I finished!  And I proved that I could do it!  I did this coming from basically no athletic background whatsoever.  I was NOT a fan of P.E. or really anything athletic when I was a kid (except playing on my bike alot).  I had done a little running about 12 years ago, but that came to a grinding halt with the birth of child #1 and I've done nothing since.  So I was very happy to just finish.  In July, the goal will be to not come in last!

Back from Tri-Sports -- I'll be in the first wave, lane 3b.  I'm bib #6.  (Can you tell I'm slow???)  But, at least, I'm not bib #1.  Also settled on getting a long-sleeved bike jersey for the bike and maybe run.  Talked to a nice lady who gave me a couple of pointers about this race -- wearing sweats until just before the swim, etc.  Seems like everyone I've met in tri is pretty nice.