Taler5: Triathlon

Every once in a while I post something on our family blog site that actually has to do with someone other than our missionary out in the field. The rest of the family does exist, but as you can see, our missionary is pretty important to us.

So, today I am posting an event that I am proud of because it's not something that I really planned on doing a year ago. A friend of mine (a much YOUNGER friend of mine) asked me to come support her during her first triathlon out at Lake Mead, so I said, "Sure!" One race later, she challenged me to join her on the next one, the RAGE triathlon at the same location. I think I was dehydrated that day or something because I said, "OK, I'll do it with you." Fast forward to this weekend and this is how it went (I sent this re-cap to my son that is on his mission):

Well...I survived. Was it fun? I'm still thinking about that! I almost felt like I was just showing up to do 3 separate workouts all together. No rush, just finish was my goal. I was mostly freaked out about the swim since the water was just under 60 degrees and there were quite a few people there. So here's the rundown: We (Dad, Reid and I) got up at 4:30am. I literally squeezed into my wetsuit, ate some breakfast, then we left to drive 45 minutes to Boulder Beach at Lake Mead (on the way to Hoover Dam). We got there and I set up my bike in the transition area with my running and biking shoes, helmet, sunglasses, etc. Shortly after that, I met up with Jen West and 2 friends and we headed down to the water. Their wave went first, then mine went five minutes after. It was stinkin cold in that lake and I really should have warmed up a little before the actual swim, but I didn't. So, they went and then I started. I kind of freaked out at the beginning, then I relaxed by the second buoy and made some time. The transition area from the water to the bike was quite a distance, so my transition time was a little jacked up. My swim time was 750 meters 19:31, my transition time was 7:07 (not good). At this time, Jen and her friends were ahead of me...by a little. I got my stuff on (by the way, I borrowed your white/bright green jersey. Just my way of having you there with me.) and headed out on the bike...up a nice big hill...uggh! Then I really got going, passed Jen, passed quite a few others and really cranked those gears. You know Lake Mead...plenty of ups and downs out there, sprinkled with a cross wind or two! I made it to the turn around point and then headed back. Apparently during that time I passed both of Jen's friends. As I was coming down the hill towards the bike/run transition, runners were running up the hill just about on the same side as the cyclist. Not kidding you, I almost took a couple out because the lanes weren't marked. Ooops! My bike time was 12.2 miles at 46:16. Not bad, but not great (16 mph). So, the bike/run transition was much faster at 3:10. I got my run gear on and took off on what must have been the rockiest trail I've ever ran on. If there ever was a time that I thought I was going to bust an ankle, it was then! The trail got a little more smooth as it went on, so I was able to pick up the pace a little more. My run time was 3.2 miles at 29:12. I really could have gone faster, but I just wanted to make sure I finished. I finished before Jen and both her friends (whipper-snapper 30 year olds!) by at least 15 minutes. My total time....drumroll please....1:45:14. Not bad for a newbie. The average finish time was 1:49:31. I placed 199 out of 398 athletes (yippee, I wasn't last!), was 13th out of 23 in my division (40 year olds and up). I placed 48th out of 146 women. Not too shabby. I think if I were to do it again I would certainly clean up my transition times, warm up before the swim, really push the bike and definitely push harder on the running. I felt good after it all (a little tired, but not sore). So, there you have it...I didn't die. What's next? I'm so glad you asked! Ha ha ha! I'm thinking of doing a 1/2 marathon this summer (just not in Vegas), a small group century ride near end of summer (gather up some folks and do our own thang!) and then the Pumpkinman Triathlon in the fall. We'll see. This triathlon training is so very time-consuming and I really need to get some other things done around here (like clean the house, maybe or get going on my geneology). Note: My other son, Reid, took these awesome photos!