Trying to TRI for the Second Time

In January I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea if I could do it. Once I completed the 60-Minute Indoor Triathlon I was on a high for days. Some would probably even say I became 'hooked'. I wouldn't go that far, I mean, after all it was 60 minutes, then again I did register for my first Sprint Distance Triathlon shortly there after. So fine, you win, I was 'hooked'.

I'm not sure what weighed out more, the fact that I was able to do the Indoor Tri, or the fact that I DID the Indoor Tri, didn't finish last, and didn't hurt myself; not necessarily in that order. When it came time to register for a Spring Indoor Tri, I did so pretty early on and counted down the days.


The difference this time around? I was stronger. I was faster. I had been practicing my swimming. I went into the Spring Indoor Tri with few goals. I wanted to swim more than the 11 laps I walked in January. I wanted to bike more than the 8.7 miles I biked in January. I wanted to run more than the 1.88 miles I ran in January. It didn't matter to me as much the second time around about finishing last, I wasn't competing against everyone (ok, well, yes, but let's not get technical). I was competing against myself. I wanted to show myself I had improved, and that I was stronger and faster.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, of course I was! The difference 3.5 months makes? I was nervous, but grounded. I was settled enough to watch the wave of athletes before me swim, as I sat on the side. I was settled enough and excited to see a friend come cheer our wave on. And it goes without saying by the time I got my lane assignment, hoped in ... I had to laugh. My lane partner knows me. My lane partner in fact was in the same wave as me in January and in our group photo was next to me. In fact my lane partner is in the same Boot Camp class as I am. All I could chalk it up to was I must look different in my swim cap and goggles. We'll just negate the fact that I have a tattoo that takes up my entire back and it's pretty noticeable. Thanks for the laugh, Doug!

And we were off. I had been practicing my swimming weekly since January, and I swam in the Indoor Tri! I SWAM! In January I pretty much walked 11 laps. In April, I SWAM 14 laps in 10 minutes!

That swim cap coming toward the camera ... it's me!

After getting out of the pool it was to a quick transition to get out of my wet suit ... not to be confused with a wetsuit, it wasn't that kind of triathlon. With the addition of cycle shoes I was ready for the bike portion. Not only has my posture changed since January, but the addition of cycle shoes has made a world of difference in my biking. In January I biked 8.7 miles in 30 minutes. In April, I biked 9.6 miles in 30 minutes!

Hoping off the bike, changing to running shoes and getting upstairs was the final leg of the Indoor Tri. And before I knew it my 20 minutes had passed and I was done! In January I ran 1.88 miles. In April, I ran 2.01 miles in 20 minutes!

     

I may not be flattering or cute after an Indoor Tri, but I was so happy.

Wave Four was done. I was done. I set out to do what I wanted and then some. I not only got more laps in the pool than my previous attempt, I SWAM them this time. I not only biked further than I did last time, I ended up biking THE MOST miles by any woman. I not only ran farther than I did last time, but well, I mean I ran farther.

Wave Four .... DONE and DONE!

I'd like to say I spent the rest of the day relaxing and taking it all in. Truth be told I had to hurry up, shower, change, get ready, and head out to a Bridal Shower for a very dear friend. But you know what, I did it all. I did something I never would have thought I could do, let alone I did something in my opinion pretty dang well. In the end in the Women's Open Division I ended up finishing 4th out of 8. If you add in the Master's Women's Division and combine all women, I ended up finishing 5th out of 13. Then, well, if you throw all of us women together in the mix of the men I finished 20th out of 30. But you know what, that 20th?, just a number, and I have no regrets.

After I got home I did then spend the rest of the day relaxing, taking it all in, and of course taking a celebratory photo. 

And why shouldn't I have taken a celebratory photo ... or ten. I'm doing this for me with the help of others, and each time I accomplish something I amaze myself. Turns out I'm tougher than I ever thought. It also turns out I can wear short running shorts and not feel completely embarrassed in them. That in and of itself is almost more noteworthy than completing the Indoor Tri ... almost.