I am triathlete, hear me pant
I did it!
At this point, I hadn’t done all of it yet - only a third of it.
On Friday, I swam the triathlon distance (500 yards) while my father-in-law timed me. Then he and I headed out to the trail to jog the triathlon route.
On Saturday, I picked up my rental bike - that fabulous green Cannondale up there isn’t actually mine - and Kyle, his father and I biked the triathlon route.
Then, on Sunday morning, we all got up at the crack of dawn - without the aid of coffee - and dragged ourselves to the race location so that we could score a prime spot for our bikes in the transition area. Tacy tagged along with Kyle, his father and me, and my mother-in-law, CJ and Oliver arrived just before I started my swim.
Swim: They put five of us with similar swim times in a lane and started us at intervals. My group thought I had the fastest time, so I went first. But two of them took off like bats out of hell and lapped me. Another one lapped me about halfway through. Kyle had told me beforehand that it was better to be lapped than to lap other people, but I still felt bad about holding up my teammates.
Even so, I barely paused at the end of each lap, and including the time it took me to climb out of the pool, run around it and out the door (where the timing mat was located), my swim time was 11:48.
Bike: The bike ride was a piece of cake. I’m ready to trade in my old mountain bike for a bad-ass road bike. Thirteen miles on a road bike feels like five miles on a mountain bike. My time was 42:40; I could have pushed myself harder, but I wanted to be sure I had enough energy for the run ahead.
Run: I forgot to grab my water bottle and take a few swigs before heading out, so I was parched by the time I reached the first water/Gatorade station on the trail. I was also pretty winded. When I tried to slug back the Gatorade, I inhaled at the same time. Sputtering orange Gatorade didn’t do much to help me catch my breath.
But I managed to keep going, and I felt pretty good by the halfway point. It didn’t hurt that I kept reminding myself that there was a six-pack of Skinny Dip at home with my name on it. I finished the run in 29:57, just under a ten-minute mile.
And then I crashed on the grass to feed my baby and cheer on Kyle.
Including transitions (the time spent getting my shoes and bike helmet on and getting my bike into and out of the rack in the transition area), my triathlon time was 1:28:57. I’d maintained that my only goal was to finish, but my super-secret inner goal was to finish in 1:30 or faster.
| PLACE | DIV | DIVPLC | SWIM | DASH | T1 | BIKE | BIKE MPH | T2 | RUN | PACE | FINISH | TIME | AGE | SEXPLC | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 279 | F3539 | 32 | 11:48 | 1:37 | 1:52 | 42:40 | 18.3 | 1:04 | 29:57 | 9:59 | 1:28:57 | 1:28:57 | 36 | 99 |
So yes, this was my first triathlon. But it won’t be my last!
September 8th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Woo hoooooo!!!! Julie, that is totally awesome! Congratulations!!! I could use many more exclamation points to express just how excited I am for you!! Yay
Elizabeths last blog post..Happy Belated Bloggiversary To Me!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:16 am
that is FABULOUS. I just read about Heather’s triathalon and it really inspired me. And now you. Perhaps I will do one next year too! Congratulations. You rock
MPPs Moms last blog post..First Day of School and More
September 8th, 2008 at 6:21 am
I made it to the top of the hill in my culdesac in under 1:28…
Congrats Julie! That’s amazing.
Motherhoos last blog post..Fig Newmans vs. Fig Newtons - A Snackdown
September 8th, 2008 at 6:54 am
amazing! you’re a total rock star!
alis last blog post..HELP. i promise i’m not sporting shiners.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:39 am
GREAT job!!! I am very proud of you!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Congrats!
Maias last blog post..Putting Me in My Place
September 8th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Oh my goodness, Julie, you are all sorts of crazy awesome.
Steph
Adventures In Babywearings last blog post..Living La Vida Belly
September 8th, 2008 at 8:28 am
You are a freaking rock star Julie. Am handing you virtual dixie cups with water from NY.
Mom101s last blog post..Yep, I’m a mom. Funny that.
September 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
You’re my hero. Seriously. In my dreams I could finish a triathalon, but never in real life.
Nancys last blog post..The Class of 2020 redux: First Grade edition
September 8th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Wow. Color me impressed. I’m lucky if I can walk around at the zoo without collapsing.
Heathers last blog post..Random Thoughts # 24
September 8th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Hooray!!!! I knew you could do it and I knew you would be hooked once you did. I am incredibly excited for you. I remember how I felt about myself after I did the first one and it is such an amazing feeling I wish you could bottle it up and take it out when you are feeling down. Congratulations!
toris last blog post..Sometimes, Often, Almost Never
September 8th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Congrats! Way to beat the super-secret goal!
Gretchens last blog post..Every Day Counts
September 8th, 2008 at 9:10 am
WOW. Awesome Julie- You must feel INVINCIBLE! Super cool banner too. Love it.
So no issues with breastfeeding and training? I want to start running again (slowly) but don’t want to mess up a good thing..
binkytowns last blog post..Having it all
September 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Listen here lady, that is freakin’ awesome, freakin’ freakin’ frackin’ awesome!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:30 am
WAY TO GO Mama! That is fantastic. And I love the picture of you nursing with your ink on your arm.
mayberrys last blog post..Sleep is for suckers!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Congratulations! That is absolutely fantastic! I don’t even think I could do one of the legs of a triathlon, let alone all three consecutively. You seriously rock!
Caras last blog post..How Long is Too Long?
September 8th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Congrats that is awesome! I loved that you fed the baby right after it was over - *lol*
Marias last blog post..The Barometer of My Ever Increasing Filth
September 8th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Congrats Julie! You rock…
Love your new header by the way.
September 8th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Wooo hoooo!!! Congrats to you, you rock star!
I’m just in complete awe of you, especially considered it wasn’t too long ago you had your 3rd baby (and are obviously still breastfeeding)! You are incredible!
caramamas last blog post..Question of the Week - Luxury You Can’t Live Without
September 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Woohoo! Congrats, it is addicting isn’t it?
I am thinking you should join MMPs Mom and I for Iron Girl next summer
mamamavens last blog post..Gearing Up for Iron Girl: The Back Story
September 8th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Yay Julie! You rock! Congrats on a great finish, I’m really proud of you!
Builder Mamas last blog post..It’s all Greek to me
September 8th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
You are AWESOME! And an inspiration. I want to do one of these next year if I can manage to not get knocked up again! You will be my motivator. Congratulation!
Amy Jos last blog post..Mother of the Year
September 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I am in total awe. Congratulations on your achievement.
Susan Getgoods last blog post..Some Blogger Relations Mathoms
September 8th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Way to go you!!! That is awesome! I would love to accomplish that someday. I have recently started swimming so I may be ready to do it up next summer!
fruitladys last blog post..Some Funny Scary A$$ Sh#@ Right Here Y’all
September 8th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
good for you. i took the baby for a 2-mile walk tonight. okay, more like a mile and a half. but still…it’s a hilly neighborhood. shut up.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Look at you!!! Congratulations on your first triathlon!
September 8th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
This is just fabulous! Awesome! Astonishing. You are an Amazon. We should trade SarahP for you - you’re the kind of strong woman we WANT a heart beat away - you’ve got heart, baby!
Cynthia Samuelss last blog post..JUST READ THIS - SARAH PALIN BY MOM-101 ON MOMOCRATS
September 8th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
That’s absolutely awesome! Congratulations and I bet you’ve got the bug now…
It happened to my friend who just signed up for the Ironman.
mandys last blog post..Just Askin’
September 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am
You GO, girl! I debating getting into triathlons but then remembered I’m not a big fan of swimming…or competitively running. So, I think I’ll stick to biking.
Congrats!
Ambers last blog post..Lord of the Gourds
September 9th, 2008 at 11:06 am
WELL DONE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So proud.
Aimee Greeblemonkeys last blog post..How Twitter Changed My World
September 9th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
You rock! I’m training for my first tri (in the spring) so I’ve been eyeing your progress. I’ll also be happy just to finish - I’ll be elated to come even close to your time. Excellent first outing!
Any tips for a first timer?
Kimberlys last blog post..It’s hard to be consistent these days . . .
September 9th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
You are awesome! Congratulations!
Rachaels last blog post..Mother nature just pissed her pantsuit
September 9th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I’m printing this and hanging it on the fridge. So inspirational, Julie!!!
Catherines last blog post..A guest post from my sister Lizzie
September 10th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Woo hoo! Congratulations! I’m totally jealous. And feeding the baby afterwards? What a rock star. I’m considering doing one, but need to pick up some major swimming skills.
PDX Mamas last blog post..Life is Unfair
September 15th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Congratulations!
Ozs last blog post..Baby, Get to Work!
September 20th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Rock on!! Good for you and you finished in a great time!! I finished my first sprint triathlon in August. My time wasn’t quite as good as yours, but it was scary swimming in the ocean with huge chunks of seaweed and waves crashing over my face. And, my husband ran backwards TALKING to me for almost the entire 5K which was terribly distracting.
I’m doing another one in mid-October. My husband is doing one in early October. We have four children under four-years-old, so he will watch them while I compete and vice versa. Or, maybe I’ll just TELL him that I’m going to compete and after writing numbers on my arms and legs, go eat donuts for two hours, undisturbed.
Jen @ amazingtripss last blog post..perspective
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
[...] That Sunday morning a few weeks ago, I was ready. I was excited. I knew that I could handle the entire course, and that was my only official goal: just to finish. [...]