I did it!

I did it - yesterday I finished my first triathlon! .6 mile swim, 12.6 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. It took me just about 2 hours and 18 minutes. In my wildest dreams the fastest I could have hoped for was 2 and a half hours, so I am very happy! Not I feel much less nervous about the Chicago Tri this weekend.

It was so amazing. I got there and looked at the swim course and almost packed up and went home - I thought I could never swim that far, but once the swim started I got in the water with my wetsuit on - it makes such a difference, I don't think my face ever got under water. I ended up pretty much doggy paddling the whole thing, but I did it! And faster than I have ever done it at the pool too. Then was the first transition - I was surprised at how wobbly my legs were - I had heard that they would be, but I guess you have to experience it for yourself. So I managed to get to my bike, take the wetsuit off, get the shoes on and I go to pull out my bike - well someone else's bike was almost on top of mine - I couldn't get mine off of the rack. Luckily a nice volunteer was there and helped me with the other person's bike. So the bike leg started with a hill, which was followed by another hill and several more hills. It was hard! Finally we got some downhills and some flat ground and I even managed to enjoy riding over a beautiful bridge with the lake under it. I passed 3 people on the bike and was passed by quite a few. So back to transition area to get ready for the run - I park the bike, change shoes, down an energy gel and some water and take off. I felt like I wasn't moving - my legs were tired and felt like mush so I walked for a couple minutes then start to run and the legs felt ok - I ran the whole way, except when I got water and walked to drink it. I passed the time on the run by watching all of the other runners - I passed a couple and looked was passed by a lot - everyone had something nice and encouraging to say, though. At the end I was tired, but came running in - I saw a friend from work who had just won her age group for the Duathlon, which gave me the energy to sprint to the finish. My time wasn't great but I wasn't the last person to finish - and most importantly, I finished. Next up is the Chicago Tri in 6 days (the swim is a little shorter but the bike is a little longer). I will publish all my times when I get them (hopefully they will be online today)