CB&I Tri - The Woodlands - TriathlonSprint

Stood around waiting for time to enter water. The time came and I had a sudden panic of "What in the name of God, am I doing". But in I went and we got to first bouy, water temp felt pretty good. I knew this would be that last time for 2 hours I would feel cool. We had to tread water for a few minutes but soon enough the horn went off. Everyone started off, but I waited a second for people to get going before I made my start. Once I did I found that I really couldn't see - the sun was barely up and I had my tinted goggles and with 2 nights of rain, the water was very murky, so after about 100 yards, I discovered I moved fast doing breast stroke - which actually had me passing people left and right - guess my breast stroke is pretty fast. Should note, there were 60+ women in water not just the Athena's.

change goggles to a clear one for race day! Wanted to use freestyle stroke but if you can't see what can you do?

Got out of water with goggles and cap off ran to transition. Heard Luke yelling "Go cathleen" Felt good. Got to bike got shirt and shorts on over swim attire - put socks on BUT couldn't get feet in shoes. had to sit down to get those on. Got bike and was off for bike course. Used inhaler before bike

Open shoes further...

Ok, I need sooo much work here. I have only been on my bike maybe 3x's since buying it. And today was my longest bike ride if you don't count the spin classes i took to prepare for the bike. Like i said little time in the actual saddle! But I was moving.

At one point, another woman passed me saying "if you change gears, you'll go faster" which I replied "yes, but I don't get the gears" to which she yelled - "just play with right hand gears until you feel it"... to which I'm like feel what??? eventually I found a good gear I felt ok with and went with that. I did get a chance to say LEFT a couple of times. So given my lack on time on the bike with gear practice I did ok, but realize I need sooo much more work.



More time in actual bike seat!

Good transition!!!! Actually Great one. As I grabbed my nutrition bar I started out on course walking to bring HR down so I didn't have an asthma flare up and I hear "GO MAMA GO, GO MAMA GO"... my kids were there. I was soo thrilled I started to tear up but I stopped myself saying "I need all the hydration I can get don't waste it on tears"... Used inhaler before leaving T1

It was tough. I'm not the best runner and I have to watch my asthma which flares on the run. I found a women, #58, she was about my pace and I told her "Hey #58, I'm pacing with you" so Angie (#58) and I ran together. I walked about every 1/2 mile for 1 min. to catch breath but kept going. In the last mile, I said to myself "finish strong, leave all you have here"... just what I needed was 1/2 mile ahead in the form of my 7yr old daughter and 6 yr old son who were waiting for me yelling "GO MAMA GO, GO MAMA GO" Again I teared up but kept the hydration in the body!. Alyssa decided she would run with me and said "Mom, I'm going to race you and win" Well the racers were like, "Oh heck no, is this little girl going to beat us" and the pace picked up for everyone. I didn't want her to see me walking so I ran the entire way across the finish line. I left everything I had to give on the run course and I was thankfully across the finish line.

Keep working on run to prevent asthma flare ups! Do more bike/run bricks leading up to next tri.

waited for Cesar and the other kids to catch me, met up with Luke and Kiley... stretched some (not enough) and packed up my transition area. Headed home to shower and get ready for birthday party - Thiathlete or not, I was still Mom with Mom duties.


BIKE GEARS! Need more time on the actual bike


I had a good time. I still am thinking "What in the name of God, am I thinking" but I am VERY proud of my accomplishment and performance.

As Cesar said, I woke up this morning a women, but I'm going to bed tonight a Triathlete! He's proud of me. Alyssa even said "Mama, Congraulations on being a triathlete" as I tucked her into bed. Thomas said he's going to write about it in his journal at school Monday!

It's been a good day!