Monday, July 30, 2012

Daybreak Tri

As soon as I finished Triathamom last year, I knew I wanted to do another triathlon. A real one. In a lake. Daybreak Lake to be exact. So, fall and winter came and went, and when spring was upon us, I started to train for the Daybreak Tri. To be honest, when I started to train, I was questioning myself and my ability to complete this race. I should have started training a lot earlier, and there was going to be some serious competition racing against me. However, I told myself that I didn't need to be competitive, that I could finish, and that I would be happy with whatever time I got.
In the transition area setting up. There was a couple set up next to me that was getting married that day-how cool is that?!
Race day came and I was as ready as I would ever be. Richard was racing, some guys in my ward were racing, some of my friends were volunteering, Cheri and Cody were putting the race together, and best of all, my husband biked and ran WITH me. I couldn't have asked for more support! So, I headed over to the dock with all of the other competitors and waited for my turn to jump into that ridiculously cold lake. Fortunately, I had some friends to wait with and help calm my pre-race jitters!
On my way over to the dock.
Go Time! I headed out and actually felt really good. I wasn't fast by any means, but I was at a comfortable pace and I never had that "freak out" moment that many experience during their first lake/wetsuit swim. After 800 meters, however, I was definitely ready to be out of the water. It was so great to see my friend Ashley there to greet me and then Cheri right after to run me into transition. I was smiling from ear to ear at that point!
The bike portion was next and it went so much better than I anticipated. I always get so anxious about riding along 11800th South-this road has only inches of a shoulder with loose gravel beyond that. To make matters worse, you have enormous trucks driving up to the mine alongside you and you truly feel them pull you in. SCARY! Fortunately, they had plenty of police patrolling the road and directing traffic. I felt safe, thank goodness. Tucker was now with me which made it that much easier.  We dominated those hills all the way up to the mine. We passed quite a few cyclists and were only passed on the downhill. I was so proud!
At the top of that nasty Bacchus hill.
By the time we started the run, I was tired, my legs were pretty shot, but I was so happy. I knew I was going to finish and have a great time doing it. It was probably my slowest 5k coming in at 31 minutes, but I didn't care. We passed a few runners along the way and I finished really strong. I remember seeing my sister just before the finish line and I wanted to cry-it was such a great feeling knowing I was done!
All of those morning runs, hours in the saddle, and super cold laps were worth it. I had set out to race in a second triathlon, this time the real deal, and I had accomplished just that. It feels good and I hope to compete in a third next year. Go USTrisports!

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