My Triathlon!

So, it has been on my bucket list since I made it when I was 14, to do a triathlon! But, even in the times I exercised regularly, I never really pushed myself or signed up for a race. But this January, after coming out of some depression related to Bennett's rough beginning, I decided it would help me to set and keep a goal! I also wanted to get back into an exercise routine, and push myself. I have 2 friends who agreed to train with me! I felt comfortable signing up for the sprint triathlon distance for my first race, rather than the Olympic distance. Sprint distance was 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and 5k run.

Training

So we started meeting 3-4 mornings a week to train. We did biking, swimming and running. I started out as a total newbie to swimming. I had never really swam laps before! Before I knew it, I was swimming 1/2 mile regularly, in about 20 ish minutes. I'm not very fast, but I felt steady. Running has always been hard for me, and I could never run without walking! But now I can run a 5k without walking. I started out as a 13-minute mile, and am down to an 11-minute mile. I'm still slow but I know that I've progressed! Biking, I've done before, but it was just a matter of getting back into it and being able to endure uphills.

Open Swim/Practice

I was really nervous about it. The triathlon included a swim in the lake! They had an open swim. It helped to try it out. The water was murky but with a wetsuit on, it wasn't too cold. It was actually nice not to have to turn around like swimming laps in the pool!

The Race

The night before my race, Nolan threw up! I knew it would be a long night. I got in bed at 9, hoping to get a lot of sleep! But nerves kept me up. Nolan came in our bed at 3 am. My sister texted me at 4:30 am and I couldn't go back to sleep. I rode my bike over to the race around 5 am. People were so nice. I told them it was my first race ,and they told me what to do, where to go, etc. I made a couple of friends with girls who were racing for the first time as well.

My parents found me and took a picture of me before the swim. My friend Amanda, who helped me train, came to see my swim!

The Swim

I went in the 6:04 group, women 39 and under. I chose to do that instead of the "Comfort Swim". I was worried I might be kicked in the head, but it wasn't too bad. My googles let water in like 1 minute after I started. So I readjusted while swimming, which put me behind a little. But it was kind of nice to have my own swimming space. It was, dare I say, even peaceful! Every time I came up to take a breath, I saw the sun shining over the water. It was beautiful. I was steady. I felt strong. Before I knew it, I was there! I don't think I went very straight, I tried my best but I'm sure I swerved :). It surprised me that swimming was actually my favorite part!

The Bike Ride

It surprised me that the bike ride was actually my least favorite! I did get to eat snacks though, lol! But it was long, and slow and uphill a lot of the way. It was just up one long road. It seemed never ending!! And everyone and their grandpa passed me. One old man, while he was passing me, said, "You're keeping a good pace!" I said, "But you're passing me...." He said, "Yeah, but I've been trying to pass you for a while!" lol. Later, I found out, there was something pressing against my brake! Argh! Anyway, the second half of the ride, we got to the top of the hill and turned around to go downhill! Heavier people had the advantage then, I couldn't go faster even if I tried! It was also the longest part. About an hour!

The Run

Believe me, I was slow! I didn't get passed quite as much, only one time by an old lady! But I felt steady. I could keep going. The track was more interesting than the bike ride. We curved around m neighborhood and park. I passed my house. Josh said he tried to get Nolan to wait outside to watch me pass but Nolan refused, lol! Finally, I got to the last mile around the lake. I had friends cheering for me! They urged me to pick up the pace, lol. I tried but I didn't want to poop out! The last 1/4 mile, I sprinted to the finish line. My friends, parents and Josh and the boys were there. My friend Jessie was there for most of the race, riding her bike around, cheering me on. I am lucky to have the friends and family that I do! It was wonderful!

I asked Josh to take a video of me crossing the finish line. Nolan left his flip flop in the middle of the sidewalk, that's what I was pointing out!

My total time was 1 hour, 51 minutes. I expected 2 hours, so it was better than I thought it would be. But, I hope to continue to improve my distance and time!

TIMES:

49th place total #174 AMY HANCOCK SAHUARITA  

Swim: 33rd place Time: 13:54  

Transition 1: 2:59.8  

Bike: 55th place Time: 58:33.9  

Transition 2: 0:24.3  

Run: 48th place Time: 36:02.4  

(That's my best 5k time ever!)

TOTAL TIME: 1:51:54.1

I don't feel too sore, it was fun to be a part of! And I achieved my goal. I am ready to train for the next one! :)