Tri-hard

I did it. I competed in and completed a Triathlon.

I was nervous and a little jittery the night before. Had a hard time going to sleep at 10 pm; not my usual bedtime. Though I finally fell asleep, after a few hours, because the next thing I knew was my alarm going off at 6 am and my groggy and lazy hand slapping down on the OFF button and groaning to myself that it was too early. It took a few seconds but I finally realized why I was waking up so early. The triathlon. The day had finally come. Was I ready?

Yes. Yes, I was. I got out of bed and put on some regular clothes, I didn't want to put on my fancy new threads just yet. I didn't know if I should eat anything or not before the race. I compromised and ate a spoonful of peanut butter and half a glass of almond milk. But I wished I hadn't 'cause I was still feeling pretty full and stuffed from my preparation dinner the night before. I was feeling pretty okay with the thought of racing in a triathlon. I thought for sure I'd be even more nervous than the night before, but I'm guessing my mind and body got all the worries out already and there was nothing more to do than to just do it (to quote Nike).

I thought that my mom and dad were going to take me down and see me off. However, 6:30 came around and they were still in bed. I decided to finally tell them I was about to leave (subtly hinting that I wanted to go and that they should get out of bed and take me). Instead, they wished me well and that they would see me later. Gee, thanks so much. Just kidding. I was planning on riding my bike down anyway. Which I did.

I grab my stuff, put on my helmet, double check my sweet threads are on okay, do a pre-victory round house kick in the air, and ride out of the drive way into the surprisingly cold morning air, and make my way down to Seven Peaks water park.

The scene at the water park was surprisingly calm. I was expecting pandemonium and was a little disappointed that I didn't get that. Though, since it was my first time, I'm grateful it wasn't. I got there early enough that I didn't have much to do but get my bike and stuff situated at the check point so more accessible for a quick change of events. After that I still had about 20 minutes to spare so I spent that time stretching: taking short, quick bursts of running to warm and loosen up my semi-frozen legs, swinging my arms from side to side hoping to release tension that I carry around with me like a school girl carries her doll,  and then any other warm-ups I could think of and from what my fellow contestants were doing.

Finally, the time had come, and thankfully, I was so sick of waiting around I was more then ready to get started.

I follow the crowd out into the parking lot where the volunteers give us another quick run down of where we are going to go for the course. Running is up first and we bunch up all together like a vine of grapes getting a tad squished. I see my mom scanning the crowd looking for me and call out to her. She was so excited and was beaming with pride (I hope it was pride). She gave me a quick hug and ran off to the sidelines to watch the beginning of the race and to witness my journey into triathlete-dom.

The "gun" goes off and we all start running, there are some that race hard to the very front of the pack and lead the way, there are those who are very new to the whole running process who bring up the rear, and then there are the ones like me who are content with being in the middle, connecting the beginning and end together.

The run was easier than I thought it was going to be, but don't get me wrong, it was still plenty hard. I only had to stop and walk once during the run and it was for a very short amount of time, approx. 20 seconds. I had recurring thoughts of dread the day of and days leading up to the race that I was going to be the very last one in line for all 3 events. I tried not to look behind me during the run so as not to freak myself if I saw that I was last or close to last. Though the terrain snaked around so much I still caught glimpses of those behind and thankfully I still had a pretty good lead.

I was surprised how fast the run went. I still got some good sweating down, had to wipe my face off a few times but was considerably mild compared to my other workouts where I seem to sweat more than my body weight.

The run comes to an end and I'm feeling pretty good that I already conquered the first leg of the race. In the check point I quickly put my iPod away, get my helmet securely fastened and head off for the biking: my specialty.

For the biking we had to make two laps around the course to equal 12 miles. It made it's way down to 9th East and then back up into the residential areas. All along the way I was giving myself pep talks and encouragements. The biking was hard and crowded at times, but went off without a hitch. During my training I had spent a large amount of my time on the biking so I was more than prepared for this. I finish the two laps and make my way back to the check point to ready myself for the last event.

As I round the bend to the check point I see my mom searching the other bikers for me. I call out and she lifts a camera to take the first shot of my in action. However, being my mom and not being that savvy with a camera she misses and has to get me as I walk (they made me) my bike over the check point. But she finally gets a shot of me in my slick triathlete outfit, helmet, and pushing my lightning-quick and trusty bike. I run towards my bag and start to peel off anything that doesn't need to accompany me on the swim. Shoes and socks off, my energy supplies of Gu and Gu chomps tucked away, helmet gone. I then get my ear plugs squished inside my ear and my goggles close to my face, ready for action.

It was then that I see Eve and Kaitlyn. Holding hand made cardboard signs, that (I later find out) read "GO, DIANA, GO!" I was so excited to see them there. It meant so much to me that someone cared and came to see and support me in a new adventure in my life. After seeing them I got a huge burst of energy and leaped over the boarding fence of the transition area and was about to give them hugs when I remembered I still had one last leg to finish. I give what I hope is an ecstatic but apologizing look and tell them I'll be right back.

I make my way over to the deep end of the wave pool while putting on my goggles and letting the warm, exciting feeling spread through out my body and mind.

One left to go and I jump in the very crowded pool and start my front crawl towards the end. The swimming I  had been most worried about. I hadn't been swimming in years and during training I was only able to practice once due to various renovations and repairs. But with that, I kicked the swimming out of the water. I raced up and down the switchbacks with mostly an ease I didn't know I had. While I got kicked a few times and had water splashed in my mouth more than I would have liked, I made it to the last lane and used my newly found excitement to race to the end. I make my way out of the pool on jelly legs that seem to be walking through pudding towards the finish line. Eve and Kaitlyn again are cheering me on from the side of the pool. I smile at them with a tired smile but strong heart, give Eve a high-five, and cross the finish line towards my triumphant victory.

My timing chip is removed and I throw myself around Eve and Kaitlyn in my wet and damp glory thanking them profusely for coming. I could't tell them how much it meant to me they were there while they professed their amazement and pride that I accomplished the Aqua Triathlon.

I was elated at the prospect that I had completed a Triathlon and felt an incredible sense of love and gratitude at the people around me in body and spirit who had supported me from the start and who believed in my ability where I had doubted. I love you guys more than you could know.

At the beginning, the triathlon came to me as a big, intimidating lion determined to break me, and in the end, pussyfooted away as a shy and timid little lamb: subdued and conquered.

Triathlon - 0  Diana - 1