Tri-ing, again!

In the books: Long Course Triathlon, 07.19.2014

Sort of.

Apparently, the timing system at the event wasn't working properly AND I wasn't fast enough to capture with back-up timing.  Oh well, I know I completed all of the events in the time I had anticipated! Plus, I have my medal and finisher shirt :)

 

Here's a recap:

• Pick the event - Paul Bunyan Triathlon in Bemidji, MN. July 19, 2014.
• Start training for this event - I had completed the Med City Marathon Relay with 3 others in May, so my running, yoga, and core foundations were in place.  I needed to add the bike and swim.  
• Be dedicated, even during long weeks and on special trips or mini-vacations - some days I wasn't home until 8pm and still had a workout planned.  Two weekends before the event, I went to a rodeo and visited friends; brought the bike along to get a ride in.
• Arrange for room & board - I have generous, kind, supportive friends who let me [us] stay at their house the whole weekend and even came to the race to cheer!
• Pack, drive 5 hours, get to bed at a decent time, sleep a few winks, and wake up in time to have breakfast and coffee! before arriving at the course moments after the transition area opened.
• Grab race packet, clamber into wet suit, get marked (race #), and pick out appropriate color swim cap (denotes which wave, or flight, of swim).
• Quite possibly the hardest part of all = getting into the water to acclimate pre-race. BRRRRRRR!
• And then . . . do what training has prepared me for! Swim - Bike - Run!

The Paul Bunyan Long-Course Triathlon is a 1-mile swim, 20-mile bike, and 5-mile run.  

Pre-race excitement

Swimmers ready

Gorgeous morning for a swim

Everyone getting set up

Adorable little cheerleader!

Gah! So tired and walking up the hill

Finish line

Done!

I am grateful to have a supportive workout buddy and training partner to keep me motivated and encourage me to challenge the limits I sometimes put on myself.  What an accomplishment for both of us.  Now we gear up for our next event in a couple of weeks - looking forward to it!