I am an Iron Girl

Towards the end of last year

 

my best friend suggested that I do a triathlon this year.

 

I had thought about it before but was always hesitant.

 

I do enjoy swimming,

 

biking,

 

AND running.

 

But something was always holding me back!

 

I bounced the idea off some friends that have done triathlons

 

and was reassured that I could do it.

 

They even gave me some "beginner friendly" race suggestions.

 

Each year I have tried to tackle something new-

 

first it was doing a 5K in 2010.

 

Then, a half marathon in 2011.

 

2012 brought a trail race

 

followed by a full marathon in 2013.

 

Why not make 2014 the year for my triathlon?

 

In January, I traded in my old mountain bike

 

and got a new performance hybrid bike

 

and a trainer so I could ride at home throughout the winter.

 

The lady at the bike shop said it would be perfect for

 

my first triathlon

 

and biking trails with my family.

 

Shortly after getting my new bike

 

I took the plunge and signed up for Iron Girl Pleasant Prairie.

 

This was the race suggested by multiple friends

 

and came highly recommend for a first triathlon.

 

Throughout the winter I used my bike at home a lot

 

and was really enjoying it.

 

I also swam a bunch at the Y.

 

The running was no problem-

 

we were training for two spring half marathons.

 

Then summer hit.

 

It hit hard

 

and triathlon training went by the wayside.

 

I was still working out-

 

running

 

and biking

 

but the swimming wasn't happening.

 

My friends still reassured me that I would be fine

 

but I was getting nervous.

 

I wasn't doing the "brick workouts" like I had planned in my head

 

so I didn't feel prepared.

 

About a week before my triathlon

 

my best friend picked up on this nervous energy

 

and suggested that we meet somewhere half-way

 

between the two of us

 

and do a "trial run".

 

She did the research and found a state park

 

that had an area for me to swim

 

and then some back roads to bike and run together.

 

It had all that we needed

 

and was about an hour for each of us to drive,

 

so it was decided that we would meet there bright and early later that week.

 

Tim and I spent some time on YouTube

 

checking out how to set up transition

 

and getting whatever tips we could to help me feel more at ease.

 

Nothing like procrastination!!

 

We had a lot of good laughs during our "practice triathlon"-

 

trying to figure out the transition set up

 

but mostly

 

as I tried to figure out how to put on a swim cap for the first time!

 

Julie sat on the side (in her sweatshirt) as I braved the water (for the first time outdoors).

 

Then we worked through the first transition together

 

and made mental notes of things that I would need to change.

 

We enjoyed our bike and run together-

 

before we knew it we were packing up

 

and were discussing what I needed to do come race day.

 

My Instagram photo from our "trial triathlon"

 

Doing this "trial triathlon" was exactly what I needed

 

and helped me feel more relaxed about everything going into race day.

 

After that I knew I could do it

 

and I was able to work out the "beginner kinks".

 

I love how my best friend knows exactly what I need!

 

She is one of my biggest encouragers

 

and is always there for support when I need it!

 

 

Before I knew it

 

we were loading up the car

 

to head off to the race.

My Instagram photo from the day before the race.

 Saturday was the expo, packet pick-up, and bike racking day.

 

As we pulled up to the RecPlex I started to get very nervous!

 

I had no idea how all of this worked.

 

We made our way around to where the expo was

 

and maneuvered our way through the packet pick-up process

 

(which wasn't laid out very clearly- but we figured it all out).

 

They placed an athlete wristband on me and then I got my packet.

 

 

We spent some time checking out the expo

 

and of course I had to get this:

 

Once we were done there

 

it was time to figure out the whole

 

bike racking deal.

 

My "support crew" got the bike off the car rack

 

and made sure everything checked out.

 

We put the bike sticker on and made our way to the transition area.

 

Once we got to the entrance of transition the boys all had to stay behind

 

and I was on my own to figure this whole process out.

 

I found the rack that was designated by a range that included my number

 

and hooked my bike up on the rack-

 

easy as that...

 

what was I worried about?

 

We spent a little time checking out the area and testing the water

 

before we headed out to get some lunch.

 

We quickly grabbed lunch- which wasn't very easy to find where we were

 

and headed back to listen to the course talk.

 

Listening to this also helped calm my nerves

 

as it helped me know what to expect.

 

Then it was time for a little fun!

 

We headed off to the Jelly Belly Factory

 

for a tour!

My Instagram from our time at Jelly Belly

We also spent a little time that evening at the outlet mall that was near the race location.

 

We knew we had to be up super early so it was an early "lights out" for us.

 

Like most nights before a race

 

the night felt very short

 

and I didn't sleep very well.

 

I had my normal breakfast of oatmeal

 

and we were off.

 

I was a little nervous

 

as we headed back to the RecPlex but not like I thought I would be.

 

I was mostly nervous about the transition set up

 

and knowing how to do it with so many people

 

so close to each other.

 

I didn't want to take up more space than I was supposed to.

 

Picture sent to a friend to see what she thought

 

Others around me were just as nervous and unsure

 

of their set up so we all kind of worked together

 

and that made me feel better.

 



Pre-race

We took some time to get some pictures

 

 and then started to make the walk around the lake

 

to the swim start.

 

I made sure to get in line for the port-a-potties right away before it got too long

 

and it was a good thing- the line grew very quickly.

 

I guess that is what you should expect at an all women's race:)

 

I checked out the water and

 

it wasn't long before Julie and TJ showed up!

 

What an amazing friend-

 

she got up super early and made the drive to be there to support me and cheer me on!

 

We watched the first waves of people start

 

and it was amazing!

 

I loved the feel of the race already!

 

 I was also noticing that I was feeling calm!

 

I got in the zone and wasn't nervous anymore.

 

I decided that "it was what it was"

 

and that I was going to go out there and do my best

 

and enjoy the whole process!

 

Next thing I knew it was time for me to get ready.

 

I made my way to the start area and just took it all in.

 

I listened to all of the women around me discussing their plan of attack

 

with their friends.

 

It felt a little lonely to be doing a race like this alone

 

but I didn't let it get to me and took the time to focus myself on my race.

 

Listening to them say that they were going to "just swim to the first platform

 

and readjust then swim to the next platform"

 

made me realize that I was going to be just fine!

 

I had no intentions of stopping.

 

My goal was to swim the half mile as hard as I could

 

and then tackle the next portion of the race.

 

I think this has to be one of my favorite pictures from the whole day! 

 

about ready to start

 Before I knew it we were heading into the water!

 

I was much calmer at this point that I had expected to be.

 

The start wasn't nearly as rough and congested as I figured

 

and I didn't get hit or kicked like I thought I would-

 

it did happen- just nothing like I had pictured in my head.

 

Everyone spread out pretty quickly

 

and I just tried to stay in the middle of the "lane" as I made my way across the lake.

 

I tried to keep a fairly even pace and just stayed calm.

 

The water wasn't bad and I actually really enjoyed the swim.

 

There was only a brief time when another lady kept cutting me off and it was

 

hard to maneuver around her.

 

I just pushed myself harder to get in front of her and left her in my wake:)

 

Swim Stats (1/2 mile):

 

18:46 (2:20/100m)

 

 

Now it was time for the first transition.

 

This is one of the areas that I was nervous about.

 

I managed to find my bike pretty easily!

 

First I got my watch on so I could find the GPS signal while

 

putting on my helmet and sunglasses.

 

Then I tried to dry off and bit and got my socks and shoes on.

 

I made sure to get a good drink of water before heading off on my bike.

 

T1 Stats:

 

2:43

 

T1 and then heading off on the bike

 Everyone was pretty spread out on the bike portion.

 

There was never a time that I felt like it was congested-

 

it was easy to get around people

 

and I felt great as I was able to do so.

 

I love that everyone had their age written on the back of their leg

 

and I found myself looking at these as I could get up close to people.

 

I was amazed and inspired by the women in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s

 

and I pushed myself harder when I came up on those in my age group.

 

I remember thinking that I wish they would do that in running races!

 

I also remember thinking that I was really enjoying this race

 

and that I felt a little like I was "cheating" on the half marathon and running

 

by thinking that.

 

During the bike portion I made sure to drink my bottle of water.

 

Before I knew it we were coming back into transition-

 

and I felt like I wasn't ready to be done with the bike yet!

 

I headed into to rack my bike,

 

remove my helmet and switch to my visor

 

and I was back out for the run!

 

 

Bike Stats (12 miles- my GPS said 11 miles):

 

40:47 (17.7 mph)

 

T2 Stats:

 

1:47

 

headed into T2 and then out for the run

 I wanted to keep an even pace and just enjoy what was left of this race.

 

The running course was beautiful-

 

we ran around the lake

 

did a short out and back on a gravel trail

 

(which got a bit frustrating to pass people on)

 

and then we ended back at the RecPlex.

 

At about the 2 mile mark I remember

 

feeling sad that this whole journey was about over!

 

I couldn't believe how fast the whole race felt like it went!

 

coming into the finish

 

Run splits:

 

Mile 1- 8:58

Mile 2- 9:13

Mile 3- 8:52

5K Time- 27:47

 

After the race I was looking back through my phone and came across this:

 

 

Listening to my boys (also my husband and friend) cheer me into the finish

 

and then hearing my name and that I am an IRON GIRL

 

brings tears to my eyes!

 

 

I am an IRON GIRL!!! 1:31:50

What an experience this whole day was-

 

I truly enjoyed every minute of it!

 

This will not be the last triathlon for me-

 

I have already said that I want to go back next year:)

 

My husband did a great job

 

capturing the whole journey throughout the day

 

all the while keeping tabs on the boys!

 

I could never thank him enough for all of his support and encouragement!

 

 

 

We headed back to the hotel

 

(who was awesome about letting us have a late checkout)

 

and I showered and got ready so we could go out to eat.

 

We enjoyed a great lunch at Texas Roadhouse

 

and then made our way to Lake Michigan

 

 for a little sight seeing before we parted ways with Julie and TJ

 

and headed home. 

 

My beautiful family and biggest supporters

 

My best friend and her beautiful daughter

 I could never thank Julie enough for pushing me outside my comfort zone

 

and encouraging me to do the triathlon!

This may be just the start of a whole new journey!



Overall Race Stats:

Swim- 18:46 (2:20/100m)
T1- 2:43
Bike- 40:47 (17.7 mph)
T2- 1:47
Run- 27:47 (8:58 min/mi)
Finish Time- 1:31:50

Division Place (35-39)- 41/177
Overall Place- 204/1011