My First Triathlon!

This past Sunday a few of us from my running group gave a Triathlon a "Tri" :-) It was much harder than I anticipated, (on paper it doesn't sound so bad... 300 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 5k run) but put it all together with quick transitions and it makes for a VERY exhausting race!

We did the Blackland Triathlon in Plano so it actually wasn't an open water swim. It was nice for us beginners, but it was such a cluster trying to get in ORDER to start! The free for all in the open water might actually be better:-) So we did a "Snake Swim" in a 50 meter Olympic size pool and then made our way to the transition station to start the bike!

I just rented a road bike since this was my first time -- so I had ZERO experience riding but since it was only 15 miles I decided it would be okay. It got a little long but I managed. Let's just say after this race I learned A LOT about what to do next time! When I finally made it to the run portion I felt so much better - I thought, "finally something I can do!" Even though it was a B*tch going from the bike to the run, (called a brick) it was nice to just "run" and know the end was near!

As I was jogging I didn't feel like I was moving but I guess I was because eventually I crossed the finished line and saw Paul there with a giant water -- aww, finally finished!

Here's me and Michele after getting "body marked"
(And yes, everyone wore these skimpy little tri outfits!)

Here's me during the swim - I'm trying to "snake swim"

Here I am just past the mounting station starting off on the 15mi bike...

Here I am starting off on the run, well "trying to run!"

Here I am at the finish!

Here's my cheerleader!

The group - don't we look happy?