One of my old roommates and good friends mentioned to me she was going to do the Jordanelle Triathlon and that I should sign up also. So I did, I figured I knew I wasn't going to do amazing, but everyone has to start somewhere, but that didn't change the fact that I was terrified! For two days before the race I could barely eat anything I was so nervous. I kept on telling myself that at least I would be out there trying, and that I didn't have to win, I just had to finish and I would be happy.
The morning of the race I was so nervous i was shaking and nearly hyperventilating, and couldn't keep down my breakfast which didn't make anything any easier.
The swim was supposed to be my best leg of the race, but it almost ended up being my worst. I been swimming for a long time so I wasn't worried, when the gun sounded I was off and keeping up with the front of the pack, but after about a 100 meters something happened. I couldn't catch my breath, and it felt as if my wetsuit was strangling me. I'm a tiny bit claustrophobic in the first place, and I hate having anything tight around my neck and between my wetsuit and the murky, people filled water I seriously thought that I was not going to make it. I ended up flipping over to my back, I unzipped my wetsuit a little bit and tried to calm myself down! I WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE ONLY HALFWAY INTO THE FIRST LEG! I would never forgive myself! So I just took it easy and regained my composure and for the last few hundred meters I was able to swim like normal and jump back up a few places. By this time Landon had though I had drowned. He knew my usual swim time of 14 min and when that past he was worried. I finally got out of the water 19 min later. I felt defeated already, if my swim was my best leg everything else was bound to die before I could finish!
So I stripped of my wetsuit and got on my bike, all the other bikes for the women in my race division were gone and I was sure I was in last. But once my legs found their rhythm on the peddles I started feeling better, I could make it. One of the rules of triathlons is no music, it's unsafe to you and others. I'm so used to fining my rhythm in my music I was going so slow with out it, so I started signing whatever I could think of in my head, Row row row your boat, Old McDonald, 99 bottles...but it helped. I picked up my speed and started passing people!!! Before I knew it I had blown though the bike leg! Now I just had to run...
But by this point in time my legs were jello! I could barely stand up when I dismounted my bike! I'm a bad runner to start with (i have horrible knees) and I knew this was going to be the longest 3 miles of my life! I seriously had to think right, left, right, left to keep my feet moving and not fall flat on my face!
When I finally rounded the final corner and the finish line was in sight, I could hear my family and Landon cheering me on and the announcer calling my number and reading my race bio, I started crying! I knew I was going to make it! And at that moment I could not have been prouder of my self. It was one of the most memorable and rewarding moments of my whole life! I didn't even care what my finishing time or place was, I finished!
*Landon and I at the finish line
*My amazing friend Makensie and I
After the race was over they started announcing the winners overall and then the top three in each age and weight group. Because I weigh over 150 pounds I get put in a separate group called Athena they break that down to ages under 39 and over 40. It sucks because I wish I was supper skinny, but it's nice because realistically I have no hope at keeping up with a 100 lb twig. I didn't think I came close to placing, my finishing time was 2:09 (i was so close of my goal if under 2 hours). But then all of a sudden my family was yelling at me that they read off my name for my division! I had taken second place in my group!
I was so shocked , amazed and proud of myself! Not only had I finished, but I didnt do all that bad either!
I was so happy I over came my fears and finished my first triathlon! I was also so lucky I had an amazing cheering section also. Landon, my Mom and my brother Brent and Tara all came out to support me. Knowing they were there kept me going, I love them all so much for that!
*Tara was super excited! She was the lookout and would let everyone know when I was coming!
One triathlon down! I think there will be many more to come! Maybe one day I will be an overall winner, until that day I just want to continue beating my previous time. And anyone who says they could never do a triathlon, I dare you to try! I never thought I could either!
Your turn to Tri!
Love Michelle!
