First off, (confession time), that photo isn't me. I know, you thought it was...;) My photos from this past weekend are a lot less...uh, impressive. BUT, I did learn a lot from this little goal I set for myself. I have put together a top ten list of things (think Letterman) I learned...Jodi, this blog post is for you...:)
Top 10 things I learned while competing in my first Triathlon
#10. I need a new bike. The giant comfy seat on my $99 Fred Meyer special was a bonus, but the mountain bike tires and ridiculously heavy frame were NOT HELPFUL on the 12 miles of rolling highway hills with 40 mph headwind…at least it didn’t have a basket and a bell.
#9. Some people are seriously hard core. I saw more than one woman go from the pool, to the bike, then to the run in no more than a two-piece swimsuit on. And this is not southern California people…this is Corvallis. OREGON. In April! We are talking MAYBE 40 degrees outside…
#8. Don’t bother with flip flops when running from the swim to transition #1. I brought them thinking I would use them but then quietly observed the folks from the previous heats RUNNING barefooted from the pool outside to transition…and decided I would most likely fall flat on my face if I tried to wear them. I would need to put aside my fears of contracting a flesh-eating foot fungus and go with bare feet. GAH!
#7. There is no easy way to quickly get biking clothes on over your wet body/swimsuit. Kinda like trying to stuff a turkey into a water balloon.
#6. Photos that your husband snaps of you while trying to *gracefully* do #7 are photos that should be destroyed. IMMEDIATELY.
#5. It is virtually impossible to put on lip gloss during any of these events.
#4. The “no headphones” rule during these races really bites. Running sucks. And running sucks even more without music.
#3. Your legs try to tell you they don’t work after getting off a bike ride like that. Mine said, “You’re telling me to run now, lady?? You’ve got to be freaking kidding me…”
#2. There is nothing quite like having your children shouting “GO MOM! YOU CAN DO IT!” each and every time you pass them on the course, and then seeing their faces at the finish line after 2+ hours of pain and sweat. I’d kick ass for my kids any day, any time, any place. Try me.
#1. I am A LOT tougher than I thought.
