My First Tri...I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So after my complete freak out melt down last week a few days before my first tri, I promised to post my report when I was done with my first tri ever.

So it was in Rocky Gap State Park in Western Maryland. I went with my boyfriend, his mom and dad. We camped at the camp sites becuase we didnt feel like spendign hundreds of dollars at the Resort. Anyhoo, just BEING in that region of MD relaxed me. I actually didnt really think about the race much the night before. I had a great dinner by the campfire and slept REALLY well..and woke up refreshed and ready to go.

Race morning...I couldnt eat the bowl of oatmeal that I made, I was just too nervous and my hands were slightly trembling. My boyfriend did a last check of the bike and we headed to the lake. It was about 250+ people with not many bike racks..so I ended up having to lay my bike down on the grass and setting up there. In my opinion, this worked out in my favor.

The swim....there were two waves. The first was 45 and under...my boyfriend watched in horror as a bunch of guys somehow trapped themselves by the rope. Apparantly elbows flew, arms flew, a whole lot of jockying happened...my boyfriend called to me and signaled to swim out, then over and to stay on the edge of the crowd. No worries, that was my plan all along. Finally my wave started, bit crazy, swallowed some water, scratched the woman next to me on the right, got nudged by the guy on the left. Couldnt get a good rythm with the front crawl, so switched to breastroke. Swam through some sea weed...creepy!!! Heard my boyfriend's mom yelling for me to go everytime I popped my head up. All in all...good swim...

The Bike....I had to aplogize to my thighs for the torture I put them through. It was hill on top of hills on top of hills on top of hills....flying down them was GREAT..didnt use my brakes at all...going up them...well...you live you learn. Although my legs were BURNING, I did get some time to appreciate the mist covered mountains, the cows, the meadows, the views of the lake and just the beauty. At one point in time, I chuckled and thought...hey...I am doing a triathlon...SWEET! All in all...good bike, lesson learned, MORE hill training.


The Run....well, started out with still burning thighs...it took about .25-.5 miles to get warmed up, then I hit the hills :-) So at that point..did the rest of it running and walking. With under a mile left, two dudes appeared behind me right before I stopped and started walking, they passed me...then I started running again, and then I passed them, then I stopped again and they passed me again..we did this a couple of times and finally one of them says.."you know, we are on the same pace, why dont you just stick with us." So I did...until the stupid little bump right at the end...I couldnt run up the darn thing..it is literally a bump in the road. So I told them, well guys, thats it for me and started walking. They offered to wait for me (how nice of them :-) ) but I told them..no no, I will catch up. A few minutes later, I did catch up with them...and we made a pact to finish together...and we did with big smiles on our faces :-)

I couldnt have asked for a better day, I had SO MUCH fun. Met some really nice people, felt really welcomed by the triathlon community. I especially LOVED how so many people would yell out "great job" as they passed me...going the other way of course...I especially got a kick out of the 14 year old kid that told me good job...as he went the other way :-) I had LOTS of fun (see pics below for evidence)...and I finished within 1.5 hours which was my goal. In fact, I almost tied my open 5K PR...and that was AFTER swimming and biking.

I am now, completely and uttterly hooked. I am jotting down everything that I can work on..and am looking forward to my next triathlon in August!!!!

Here are some of my pictures, can you tell I loved every second of it :-)

http://tristaterunnur.smugmug.com/gallery/5167428_nJ5oP#313020148;check out picture #294, 295 and 297
http://tristaterunnur.smugmug.com/gallery/5173398_3kjgA/1/313449513... check out picture number 32-41