A New Challenge
Authored by: citygirl123 I had always been an active person, but was getting so tired of the same workouts and really wanted to change things up. I needed something different - a new challenge. As an avid runner and biker, triathlon had always caught my eye... I figured if I actively participated in two out of the three events, how hard could it be to get the swimming down? So I decided to sign up for my first triathlon. It was a sprint distance (1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) figuring that would be a great way to get my feet wet in the sport. With only 4 weeks before the race and a hectic work schedule, I really wasn't sure how much training I would be able to do, but my main goal was to just start and finish the triathlon, no matter how long it took me.

With two weeks left to go, I had swam three times (that's about three times more than I had really "swam" as a kid back at the local pool!).... and I was starting to get nervous about the big race. Training in a pool is much different than swimming in open water -- there are no "sides" to hang on to if you get tired and in a pool everything is clear so you know exactly what is around you.... not so in a lake, where the murky waters send plantlife and fish and the occassional random item your way.

It was the week of the race and I tried to put it out of my head, but every time I thought about the swim portion I started to get that nauseating feeling in my stomach. What happens if I need to stop? What if I'm too tired to complete it? All kinds of questions swirled around in my head...
Day before the race I went to pick up my number and race gear at registration -- everyone looked so trained and like they had done hundreds of these before. I began to wonder if anyone else was in the same boat as me? That night, as I tried to sleep, I just kept telling myself that I would be able to get through the swim, I just had to take my time and go at an easy pace.
Morning of the race I woke up with so much energy... I was so excited to do this. With my family by my side encouraging and motivating me, I made my way to the start area, racked my bike and prepared for the unknown.

They called my heat and I waded into the water.... the cold gave me goose bumps, but I just kept focusing on the course and took a deep breath and tried to shake off the nerves. As a competitive person, I was used to starting out at the front of the starting line, but today I purposely lined up at the back of the pack, unsure of what I would expect. BANG! The gun went off.... adrenaline pumping, I began to move forward in the water until I found a pocket among the participants and could free myself up to swim. After a few strokes of the freestyle I got a big foot in the face, which caused me to swallow ungodly amounts of gnarly pond water and subsequently forced me to doggy-paddle until I could re-gain composure. By then the field had thinned out and I was able to get my bearings and focus on my strokes. I reached the first buoy, rounded that and relaxed into my swim. Passing the second buoy, I knew I was almost home... just one final stretch. I was tired, but I knew I had to keep going.... I could hear the crowd cheering from the shore of the lake and as I found myself in shallow water I stood, removed my goggles and swim cap and began to make my way out of the water, running toward the transition area. I had completed the swim! Exhausted, but excited, I knew the hardest element was behind me....

I grabbed my bike and made my way onto the paved course... much less cluttered than in the water, I was able to move comfortably in my own space in a good groove, gliding along with the wind in my face, nothing felt better. Then came the hills. Feeling strong, I pushed hard up the incline, thinking it would level out just as I got to a certain point. I had driven the course in the car the day before, but I didn't remember the hills being this big! Instead of plateauing, the first hill turned into a monster...it was followed by three mini hills on a steep incline. My thighs were burning, but I just kept pushing... some people had jumped off their bikes and were walking up the hills... not me, I was going to conquer this. Finally, reaching the top, the ground began to level off. I made my way through the rest of the course, legs working hard and quads feeling like they may, at some point, bust out of my legs entirely.

Rounding the final stretch, I could see the transition area ahead and knew I was 3/4 of the way done with this race. Jumping off my bike, I racked it, removed my helmet and darted for the exit, where I would begin my run. Running had always been my strength, but I hadn't anticipated the rubber-leg feeling I was about to experience. Somehow I was moving, but it didn't feel like my legs were attached to my body! After about a minute and a half I began to feel normal, but knew I was truly pushing my body into an unchartered area with the variety of excercises and muscles used. Everything hurt, but I loved it. I knew I was working hard.

I felt strong, the sun beating down on me as I pushed through any tired feelings that may have entered my brain. I was doing this - a triathlon - and I was so proud of myself. As I made my way down the last stretch of the course, I caught my brother on the side cheering me on... his voice helped to propel me toward the finish line in a sprint. As I crossed the finish line I felt as thought I could continue for another 10 miles! I didn't want it to be over. I glanced up at the clock and was amazed at the time I had completed the race in - all I wanted to do that morning was to finish, and I not only met that goal, but exceeded it!

As the medal was placed around my neck and my family came over to congratulate me, I smiled to myself and thought how proud I was to have put my mind to this challenge, and not only complete it, but complete it well. "When is the next one?", was all I could say.
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