Well, I did it! I finished the Triathlon & I am still alive!!! It was VERY hard, but worth crossing that finish line! It was an intense day!! Craig & I literally had 3 hrs of sleep the night before. We stayed at a hotel with the kids. We were woke up 2 times by people being noisy in the courtyard outside our window & 2 times by Jessica-who had an ear infection- we found out a few days later. So, on 3 hrs of sleep I was supposed to do one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life! Crazy! I should have forfeited!! I was so tired!
Me-on NO sleep!
Look at all those people. Crazy people!
Lisa & Jen before the race
Remember, NO sleep or makeup!!
Our Transition Area
Lisa & Jen before the swim
The swim portion was first. It took me about 3 minutes longer than normal. When you're being timed for something, that's a lot!! I was so tired! I opened my eyes under water & noticed there was a diver right under me. It was a little freaky!!!The water was nice & clear though.
Swim course-It doesn't look far, but it was!! 1/2 mile!!
We followed the markers on the left, to the right & back down the markers on the right. In a square.
Next was the bike part... It poured rain the whole time!!! It is also considered the 'hilliest' course in upstate NY-with the most hills!! It was really hard! There was only one hill that I could only bike up halfway, then had to walk it. It was insane!!
Transition Area
Then, the running part. I started running, in the rain, with soaking wet shoes. Then, over on the sidelines I see Craig & the kids cheering me on. It was a great lift to my spirits & I knew I HAD to finish. About halfway through the run, my hip popped out of socket! It hurt so bad! I kept running, because if I slowed down, it hurt worse!! So, here I am exhausted, soaking wet (so much for buying the $70 shorts that dry fast!!) hip out of socket & 1 1/2 more miles to run! I kept thinking " I could just turn back to the finish line, & nobody would ever know!!" The run was a 'down & back', so I kept passing people going the other way, if you know what I mean..... But, I kept going. I knew I had to do it for ME! On the way back, I saw Craig & the kids again, cheering me on, the loudest out of everyone!! It was so nice to have them there. I finally finished the race! It felt so good to be done! As soon as I crossed the finish line I felt like throwing up! I was nauseous for about 4 hrs afterwards too. It was crazy!
I forgot my camera at the hotel & Craig didn't realize the other one was in the diaper bag the whole time, so I only got pics from my cell phone. They didn't turn out bad, but wish they were better.
On the way home, Craig & the boys went to Bass Pro shops to look around & I went to the Mall to buy myself a 'reward'. I ended up getting a dress & a skirt & shirt. In 2 sizes smaller than I started wearing before the Triathlon training!! I was pretty excited!
Lisa & Craig after the race
Lisa with the kids after the race
Lisa-The Triathlete!!