MY FIRST TRIATHLON EXPERIENCE

This has been a year of change for me, so I decided it would be a fitting time to sign up for my first triathlon. I first got the idea in my head last summer and at that time could barely run a mile before I was out of breath. However, after months of diligent training, I successfully completed my first sprint triathlon last weekend.

The swim portion terrified me the most (it didn't help that I wasn't able to get any open water workouts in before the race), but I've never been one to let fear take over, so when the horn blew I ran into cold, murky water with the fifty other women in my wave. I was just hoping not to finish dead last in the swim and was happy to come out around the middle of the pack.

The .25 mile run up the beach and under a tunnel to T1 went smoothly and before I knew it I was on my bike out on Hwy 75. I passed several women on the bike course who were changing flats and I silently prayed my tires would hold up. Thankfully they did. I knew the run would be my strongest event so I wasn't concerned about the extra half mile (it was approx 3.54 mi, a little longer than the standard 3.1). It was an out-and-back course with a mix of pavement and dirt trails, just how I like it. As I spotted the finish line I picked up my pace even more, flying past two men (I've always been competitive with boys), finishing the run with a 7:45 pace (a new PR) and a huge smile on my face. I placed 9th overall in my age group. Not too shabby for a newbie. I got to try out our new physical barrier sunscreen and it worked great. I will definitely have it handy for my next race in June. Yes, the tri bug has bitten me. I've found my new obsession.