Success!

Greetings! So, I can officially tick the box “triathlete” (you know, because it comes up so often!). Two Sundays ago I completed my first triathlon. Before the race, as you know if you’ve read the last post, I was feeling quite unprepared and nervous. My training had stalled and I also had a health issue that almost kept me home. BUT, race morning I was feeling good and, strangely enough, unexpectedly calm. Like, really, really strangely calm – especially after the stress-y week I had. I hit my snooze button, lingered over my coffee and emails, and finally rolled out the door about 6:00. This is unheard of for me, even on 5K race mornings! I think I was either seriously blocking out what was to transpire, or I had come to terms with the fact that I was not really competing, but just hoping to complete.
So, I arrived and saw the mass of people marked and waiting for the race to begin. I believe there were 700 competitors in all the divisions (duathlon and triathlon – individual and team). Thus, 700 bikes on about twenty racks for me to weasel my mountain bike into. This sounds really goofy, but that was the most stressful part of my day! I was so nervous I was going to knock over 50 other (really nice!) bikes hanging precariously on the racks for their quick get-aways later. But, I shimmied in and tried not to touch anything after that. My first success!
I got marked and hung around for awhile by my bike. Ate a banana, used the potty and then swam over to the start on the beach. I figured if I could get through the swim (my weakest area), I would be home free from there. Still strangely calm. At 7:45, 50 women and I were standing in the water waiting for the horn. It blared and we were off! I started in the back and outside hoping not to 1) get kicked and 2) get passed by every other swimmer. I did not swim any freestyle at all – only breast and side stroke. Even with that, I still maintained pace with the slower swimmers and was NOT the last one out! When I was about halfway through, I spotted my Mom and Dad on the dock with the other spectators. I was waving like crazy before I realized I had better not do that, as pumping your fist is the cue that you are in trouble and need assistance. Oops! Thankfully no life boats scooped me out of the water; and the boost of seeing my cheering section got me through!
As I ran up the boat ramp for my first transition, I shouted to M&D “I didn’t sink!” and thus began my permagrin that lasted the next 5 hours. I hopped on my bike for the two loops around the park. It’s just a 9 mile ride, but the course is very hilly. Didn’t even phase me, as the permagrin continued. Thank God I didn’t swallow any bugs with that mouth all agape. I was encouraging the slower riders, saying thank you to every volunteer (there were probably more than a hundred of them!) and generally just being goofy. With my ride over, I dropped the helmet, parked the bike and was off for the two and a half mile run. My cheering section kept my spirits lifted, and the run course (with the exception of the ‘dam hill’) is pretty and lined with yet more volunteers. And the smile remains til the finish! I finished about mid-pack; 64th of 113 women. I was elated and can’t wait to do another! Even my Mom, after seeing the race day excitement and grins is considering doing one next year. Now, how stinkin’ cool would THAT be?!?!?! Go Mom!