The Day After...

I am more sore today than I was yesterday. I think that is to be expected. I have told several friends and family about the experience. Reliving the experience only makes me realize how much I really enjoyed the triathlon. I can't wait for the next one. I am considering doing a tri-relay with some friends. If it works out, the race will be the last Saturday of September. Another race to raise money for the Pleasant Grove High School Swim Team. I will keep y'all posted! I am taking tomorrow off...no training again until Tuesday or Wednesday. I think recovery time is critical in training. 'Til next time....Peace and elbow grease!

H2

Race Day:: Hollie's First Tri:: 25 August 2007

The alarm clock rings loud and very early at 5 am. It's still REALLY dark outside! Not to mention chilly. Did I really say that? Is it really chilly in August in Utah? YES!!!

I had all my gear together last night. All I really needed to do this morning was get up and get on the road. The butterflies in my stomach seemed to be awake before I was. I guess the butterflies knew what lay ahead for the day.

Dennis and I arrived in Orem. Other participants quickly filled the parking lot and proceeded to do the same things I should be doing. So I unloaded my bike, bag and other gear and proceeded to athlete check in. I got my packet and my number. Number 106. Then someone proceeded towards me with a rather large black PERMANENT marker. "Body art", they say at this race. My number was written on my left shoulder and right calf. I will probably be wearing this body art longer than this weekend...Anyone know the number to customer service for Sharpie? I really think that triathletes are kids at heart who like to draw on each other.

I found a spot for my bike and other gear in the transition area. I had no clue what I was doing. I picked a spot and thought, this was just as good as any...But what did I know? And it really didn't matter.

Then someone yells, "It's time to go!" I made my way to the pool. Not really sure where to put my stuff...and I am sure I did everything all wrong...but oh well. This is my first tri...no one is going to take me to tri-jail.

After a word or two of instruction everyone asked us to line up according to groups: kids, sprint racers, and then my group, the novice racers, and then we were to line up according to how quickly we could swim. This is the part I wasn't really prepared for: The standing around and waiting to start my tri! Thank goodness for my cute husband and Tyron who came along to be my cheering section and support group.

FINALLY, it was my turn to get in the pool. Honestly, the rest of the race is a blur. I completed the swim...made it to my bag. Getting clothes on a wet body is hard! Again, thank goodness for my husband who was there to help me out! I'd probably still be wrestling with getting my gear on for the bike and run portion of the race if it weren't for him! I could NOT get my socks on and decided to go without socks. This would prove to be a rather painful decision later. Note to self: do whatever you can to get your socks on during the first transition!

The bike ride went well. I was surprised at how quickly it went. The first half was a little bit of a climb...really not bad, but made for slower speeds for me. Someone passed me and said, "You're doing great!!! It's all downhill after the next corner!" And she was right! A little bit of a "breather"...Well...kinda...My brother Zach would be proud of me...I shifted in to a tougher gear and increased my speed.

Hollie's First Tri:: The Agony of deFEET

Transition 2: I put my bike back in the transition area, grabbed some Accelerade, (Thanks to Zach, Suz, and Easton...cheering from "The Cheap Seats") my hat and headed off to the third and final phase, the run...in my case, the walk.

My legs felt so heavy and so strange after the bike ride. It took probably a good half a mile before I felt like I really had my legs under me. Similar to the bike ride, I felt like the walk went really quickly as well. I have to tell you, I was passed by a woman who gave me some words of encouragement as she passed. "You're doing a great job!!! Keep it up!!!". To which I replied, "Yeah right!!! That's why you are passing me!!!" As she continued on her race she said over her shoulder, "This is a race for charity...and I only do it to see the half naked men!" I laughed and replied, "Well, I guess that's a great motivator right there!"

Before I knew it I was back at the park. The finish line was in sight. It was great to see Dennis and Tyron. They were such great cheerleaders! Someone started to really sprint to the finish line...The man next to me elbowed me in the arm and said, "Are you kidding me? Sprint? I say we trip him!" He was joking of course...I think...

Well...The agony of deFEET is this: Because I did not wear socks, I got nasty blisters from my shoes. Yeah. Not pretty. The pictures don't really tell the whole picture. I have blood stains in my shoes. I have to say...I am one tough chick. :)

I did it. I completed my first tri. I am really proud of myself. I had a great time. I told Dennis I never would have thought this would be something I would do. And now that I've had a taste of the tri world, I do want more. I am excited to continue training and work toward a true sprint distance tri. I am setting my sights on the Woman of Steel Tri next May. Until then, I will post training stuff...which may not be too exciting but is a HUGE part of this process.

I am strong. I will continue to get stronger. And my feet...they'll heal.

First Tri::Share A Smile Foundation::Orem, Utah:: 25 August 2007

So tomorrow is my FIRST triathlon. I NEVER would have thought at the beginning of 2007 I would be entering a triathlon of all things. But a lot of wonderful changes have happened in my life this year...and this is one of them. I am committing to a healthier me...a more active me.

Tomorrows tri is a novice tri. One-eighth mile swim, 4 mile bike, and a 1.7 mile run. My goal: to finish.

I have a wonderful support team (my handsome husband) and have received a wonderful note and package from "The Cheap Seats".

I am not looking forward to the 5 am alarm. I am nervous, but excited. I have to keep telling myself I am excited.

I will post an update tomorrow...and pictures!

Wish me luck!