Triathlon

I decided I wanted to do a Sprint Triathlon last November after running my 3rd 5k of 2009. I felt like I needed a new goal and after talking with my friend, Gloria, I decided a triathlon would be the perfect goal for me. I made a choice to do an all women's triathlon for my first time so that it would be less intimidating and more fun. Gloria decided she and Stef would sign up to do the race with me as a relay team.

Training and doing triathlons are not cheap, you need a bike and helmet, a swimsuit or wetsuit if you chose, goggles, swim caps, fees to practice swimming in pools, running shoes, work out clothes, etc. My dad gave me the money for a bike for Christmas so that helped out and I was able to gather the gear up as I began my training.

I haven't done a lot of lap swimming in my day, but I have always loved the water and swimming. I began doing laps in a local pool and really enjoyed the workout. I had not gotten on a bike for years, like at least 10 years or more prior to buying my bike. Once I started my bike training, I found that it was something fun I could do with my family as well, which I loved. We would do the Minute Man Trail together, took the bikes to the Cape and the Vineyard, it was such a wonderful purchase. The running I just continued to do and tried to increase my speed.

The Day of the Title 9 Sprint Triathlon came and I was a bundle of anxiousness. I didn't sleep well at all the two nights before psyching myself out. We got to the race sight at 7 a.m. and it was a chilly 51 degrees outside. The temperature didn't change much by 8 a.m. and I was face to face with this lake and a long line of orange balls I knew I had to swim through.

Gloria was there to try to calm my nerves, but standing in a speedo in 50 degree weather, anticipating being submerged by cold lake water was anything but calming. Once I got in the water, I just started swimming and the adrenaline kicked in big time.

Yes, I finished the swim and I even have a smile on my face. Probably because the coldest part is over and my cute family and amazing friends are there cheering me on.

Swim- 1/4 mile 12:01 minutes

I then ran to the transition area, threw on my shoes, socks, shorts, and shirt. Then I brushed my hair, put on my helmet, ate some energizing jelly beans and took off on my bike. They stated on the website that there was one bike hill that was 3/4 a mile climb, but they failed to mention that the entire biking trail was one hill after another, after another, after another for 10 full miles.
Due to it being so cold, my hair being wet and sweating, I totally got a brain freeze going down one of the hills.
I only saw one girl biff it on her bike. By the way she was riding, I am not sure that she had ever rode a road bike before. She was weaving all over the road at first, running over her water bottle, and unable to stay in a straight line. I finally passed her crazy bikerness and turned the first corner. She was close behind me but didn't make the turn to well and somehow flew across the road into a ditch and fell off her bike. Her friend was luckily there to help her.

10 mile bike ride, up hill, both ways- 49:21

By the time I was done biking I was pooped! Those hills killed me, I didn't train with too many hills, and therefore I was tired. I still had to run 3.1 miles, but this is my strongest area so I knew I could do it. Wouldn't you know they start the run up a hill and then there is another small hill and then another really steep hill. Holy Hills Batman!!! I just kept running and could feel my calves burning, but these hills were not going to defeat me, oh no! I am Laci and I am a Triathlete! So I pushed it and wasn't even mad when I had to run through the sandy beach to get to the finish line. I started hyperventilating a bit when I was almost to the finish line, mainly because I was in disbelief of what I had just done. It was really hard, but I did it! I am living proof that anyone can reach a goal they thought was impossible.

Run-3.1 miles 30:22

Sweet Victory! Christian is my #1 fan. He has been so patient and understanding with all the training I have done. He watches Berke each night so I can run. He worked his schedule around times I could go to the pool to swim. He encouraged family bike rides. I feel so lucky to have a husband who is so supportive and wants me to succeed with my goals.

I have the best friends who woke up SO early on their day off to drive an hour or more to see me do this race. I am such a blessed girl to be so loved by such wonderful women!

It was so great to be in a race with Stef and Gloria so they could help me through all my anxiety. These girls are so much fun! We all finished the triathlon and lived to tell about it.

In the end I loved doing a triathlon and want to do another one next year.
Thanks for every ones supportive words, e-mails, texts, facebook messages, phone calls, etc. It meant so much to me to know that ya'll cared about me and my silly goals.