my first triathlon

something i have wanted to do since college has been a triathlon. I always got hung up on the running part (because up until I had lucas I had never actually run more than a mile!!); but after I had lucas and started running and doing half marathons and 10ks, and 5ks, I realized I could actually run (and I realized, NEVER SAY NEVER). The next part came the... having a pool to swim in. A year after getting a gym membership with a pool and swimming off and I, I decided hmm, I should just go for it!! I downloaded a 12 week training plan from active.com and began my training this summer as something to distract myself from the fact that lucas was starting tk and to help me stay calm with all the allergy preparing we did for school. It worked and I had so much fun doing the race! the sweetest thing of all was that my dad took an executive business trip and flew up just so he could see me race. Now that he's retired he can do things like that and it meant a lot to have him there:) we did a training ride together before my race which was really fun (and stressful at the same time because my dad was nervous with me on my bike!) but it helped me prepare for the 700 foot climb and drop during the bike portion of the race (yes i fear the downhill more than the climb for sure!) but i didn't fall, I clipped in and out of my bike no problem, and i had so much fun racing.  The best part of the race was hearing the boys cheer "go mommy go!" through out the course, and their enthusiasm and support for me while I trained. And their smiles and excitement at the finish line!!! It was so fun and I will definitely be doing another race in the future. 

*the race was in capitola. It was a beautiful course and nice because it was only women! It was called the mermaid tri and perfect for doing your first triathlon!! I did the sprint distance. 600 meter swim, 11.5 mile bike ride, and 2.5 mile run. here are my stats! we had a nice, long, uphill run to our transition area from the swim and that is why it looks like I took forever in transition one! lol.  

Here are some pictures from the race. 

 getting read to go in the transition area!

 I was just so excited! do you see my huge smile?

 I was second out of the water in my age group for the swim part of the race!

 my sweet boys cheering me on.

 making the uphill climb for the run part of the race.

 finishing it off in the sand!

 so happy to be done and have my boys at the finish line!

 beautiful start and finish, I just  can't say enough great things about the Capitola mermaid triathlon race!!! It was so fun :)

Love you dad <3 p="">