Well it’s official… I am a bonafied TRIATHLETE!!
Who says you can’t train for a triathalon in a weekend?!? ๐
(p.s. I sooo do not recommend that at all!)
My morning started nice and early when my alarm clock went off at 5:30. I quickly arose ready to take on the new challenge of the day.
For my first tri fuel I had 2 slices of Pumpernickel Bread.
One half with Cashew Butter and Strawberries, the other with Strawberry Preserves and Vanilla Oiskos Yogurt. They were both yummy combos.
I really had no idea what to expect for my first Sprint Triathalon so I made sure to show up at least an hour a half before the start of the race. I collected my packet, purchased my one day USAT pass, and set up my transition area.
I even got marked up.
The T means I was doing the Tri and the 24 was my age. It was actually pretty cool to have everyone’s age marked on their legs, I kept concentrating on everyone’s calves to see how old they are, it was very interesting. I think we should always be marked with our ages. ๐
After I was all set up we headed to the beach to prepare for the swim. In all honesty the swim was the going to be the hardest part in my head. I had only swam once since last September and the was the open lake swim the weekend before.
The night before my parents were gracious enough to purchase me a shortie wet suit so that I could at least be a little warm in the cold water.
The guys left the beach first then all of the women slowly made their way to the beach. It really wasn’t that big of a crowd and the women I was around were all really nice one lady said she was 15 wks pregnant!
When the gun shot it was now or never and I made my first plunge in to the refreshing lake water for my .75 km swim.
My first goal in the swim portion was not to get hit in the head. I heard too many horror stories about too many people striving for first that they will get kicked and drown. I stayed towards the back of the pack that thinned out significantly the further we swam.
Once I passed the first buoy I realized I was at the end of the pack. The hardcore racer in me told myself this is not good, but the more reasonable, already worn out side of me told me I was doing a good pace and would rather keep it slow and steady then drowning before the second buoy.
I hit the second buoy and just made it my goal not to be absolute last. I think I came out of the water with two or three other women behind me… swimming mission accomplished.
I swam the .75km distance in 23:29.127
After swimming I ran the .1 distance on the sand to the transition area.
I was so worn out from the swim, that was the hardest .1 run I had ever completed. Luckily, I plenty of wonderful family members there cheering me on.
It took me 2:07.799 to run that damn .1 miles. ๐
Practicing transitions was something that really never crossed my mind.
I had to wash my feet off, put my shoes on, put my shirt on, put my helmet on and run with my bike out of the area. It was a lot more complicated then I had imagined.
The transition took me 2:53.997.
On the bike I took off like a bat out of hell, then my legs got tired and I realized I had to slow it down just a little bit and that I did have 12 miles to bike.
I passed a few women on their bikes and was thankful for making up ground, but being one of the last out of the water there were periods when I was on my own and was curious whether I was going the right direction or not.
Around mile 6 I have 4 of these PowerBar Energy Gels for mid race fuel.
I was doing great until I started seeing males who were participating in the My First Tri (a race that started about 15 minutes after my division) start to pass me at record speeds. I kept thinking these are such liars and that it was definitely not their first Tri.
Finally I made it back to my second transition area after my 44:12.765 20km bike ride.
My second transition was easier considering all I had to do was get off the bike and start to run.
The transition took me 00:42.015.
Last up was the easier part.. the run. Here is where I knew I could make up ground. My legs felt weak and tired but not as great of a brick feeling as I was expecting. I started passing others who had started walking and tried to bring down my time. I knew I wasn’t going to set any records but I could at least run my 2.75 miles in the woods at a decent pace.
Finally I hit the last turn and fans started to cheer telling me I could do it.
I tried to sprint, but my body was just exhausted and unable to respond.
I hit the finish line with a smile at a time clock at 1:36:44.148 meaning my 2.75 mile run took me 23:18.465.
I was done at this point. Happy to have accomplished something new and amazing.
I could not have done it without the support of my amazing friends and family who awoke early on a Saturday morning to come witness my first Tri.
THANK YOU Dad, Melissa, Caitlin, Derek, Kelly, Angel and Mommy!
They were there shouting me on, running with me through the transitions and just making me know I could do this. Without their support I don’t know where I would be. ๐
After the race I had a wonderful Orange to refuel myself.
And my parents were kind enough to set up a picnic for us to enjoy.
I started with about a quarter of a Blueberry Muffin.
and celebrated with a little beer.
mmmm…. beer…
For the main course my Dad grilled up some yummy burgers.
I had a Burger with Ketchup, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado & Onion…. it was quite a beast to eat. I also had a little bit of homemade coleslaw, an Apple and Carrot Chips.
For dessert I had one of Melissa’s Pumpkin Rolls she had brought to share.
Thanks Melissa!!!
The park was great, but I was EXHAUSTED and crashed immediately when I got home. I had a lovely 2 hour nap and am now ready to take on the night.
Have a great Saturday everyone!!!
Congratulations!!! That run is faster than I could go without swimming and biking before. ๐ I’m still learning.
And what nice parents for setting up the lunch! Your fam is amazing!!!
GOOD JOB, Meghann!
I loved reading the recap! You did so well!
Oh my gosh! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Did you know you’re my fitness idol? You seriously make me want to try new things. You’re absolutely phenomenal for doing this trialtholon. Have a great rest of the day. I hope you spend it relaxing with…more beer. Haha kidding!
You so kick ass!
Congrats on your first triathalon!!!!!! You did so well!! Have a great night celebrating!
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!
You are a frickin’ stud.
I will be thinking of you during my race tomorrow and when I start whining and wussing out, I’ll remember what you accomplished and buck up!
Congrats on the tri Meghann, glad it went well. ๐
What a great recap of the race – I felt like I was there with ya, kinda. ๐ Congratulations, such a great accomplishment! And the food afterward looks sooo good!
Ok Meg did A great job !! But I had to wait with the spectators and listen to all the coments about the guys standing around in thier skivies and something about thier man bobies so embarassing seeing my fellow men being judged by just thier outter apearance ?? equal rights and all that crap LOL
Yay! Go Meghann! Good Job! You did awesome. We will definitely have to do one in the summer time together. I can’t wait to move here and be here all the time. ๐
congrats meghann!!!! I am so happy for you! You’re such an inspiration ๐
Congratulations!!!!!!!! That is so awesome!
Great job, Meghann! I am so impressed that you did a tri! It sounds like an awesome day. I loved all the pictures, thanks for posting them!
woooohoooo, amazing!!! you’ve done it again :-). really, what an inspiration. enjoy your saturday night!
Wow-Congrats Meghann! What an amazing accomplishment–you are truly awesome. thanks for sharing with us all ๐
Haha The second John comment is from me – Kelly. ๐
way to go!!!!
Congratulations!!!!
YAY! Congrats! What a great day! ๐
HELL YES YOU ARE!!!! ๐
great job. my friend are trying to get me to sign up for a tri but i have NO interest….
You are an inspiration! Congratulations!
There was no question in my mind that you wouldn’t do great! You deserve a beer and that nap!
Congrats!!!
You rock! Way to go! I need you to teach me how to swim so I can do these with you!
Amazing! Way to go! What a cool accomplishment!
Wow, congrats on your first tri!!! I am wanting to try maybe a half tri sometime in the future. I’m still saving for a road bike (may take forever haha), but I really want to give it a try. I’ve never done a tri before, do you have training suggestions? I did read about Caitlin’s first tri experience and I think the swimming will be my challenge too. Thanks! Those pumpkin rolls look so yummy!
-kristen
Oh my gosh Meghann, what a great recap! You are amazing, look at you go!!!!
Congrats Meghann, you did awesome! What an inspiration you are!
congrats on the triathlon! that’s amazing! ๐
you are a rockstar! congrats on (yet another) AMAZING accomplishment!
so proud of you!!!!!!
xoxo
Yah ๐ Congrats girl, you are such an inspiration!
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! If you can do this, you can do anything!!
Congratulations!!!! You are a beyond awesome!!!!
Great job, Meghann! You’re a huge inspiration!! ๐
CONGRATS!!! Your a super hard core athlete now. We are all so proud of you Meghann.
Congratulations!!! You are such an inspiration!
Meghann!!! You are a machine – way to go! You’re very inspirational ๐
Take it easy tonight!
This was a great post – thanks for the details about it! Way to go, what a really exciting accomplishment!!
congrats! you did awesome ๐
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Meghann!! What a wonderful job!
That sounds so hard! I think its awesome you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone.
I’m so proud of you Meghann! It’s been awesome to follow your blog and watch your growth just SKYROCKET as an athlete. I really mean that. I’m SO proud of you. Great job today.
Congratulations, you are so inspiring! I want to do a triathlon too but I have been holding back…all the transitions and such scare me! Swimming in a shortie wetsuit can be tricky too, I found, you don’t have the same amount of range of motion in your arms. But it is nice to be kept warm ๐ Thanks for the great race report!
Amazing job Meghann – just like always. You are a rock star!!!!
you are truly amazing, congrats for officially becoming a triathlete!
You are a rockstar, congrats!!!!
http://eatingchalk.wordpress.com
Congratulations, Meghann! You are so impressive and it is so cool that you had such an incredible entourage of people cheering you on. It just goes to show how incredible you are ๐
Great job, Meghann! Thanks for the recap! I loved the pics and seeing the transition area. I think I would totally find that interesting staring at everyone’s calves as well ๐ Great job, you rock!!
Congrats Meghann. This post was so interesting. I loved reading about your first tri. Job well done!
So cool that Caitlin and Melissa were there to cheer you on.
WOW. can I just say you are so sosososososo gnarly and you should be sososo proud of yourself!!!!
Please go have a feast, NOW! ๐
Congrats Meghann. You’re just AMAZING!!! ๐
congrats meghann!!! ๐
p.s. i have to say i am curious about you and derek… are you two dating??
Amazing recap!!! I love it!!!!!! You are so inspiring to me that I may just look up one in my area! The thought of it scares me like crazy but you just look so freaking happy and proud! Well done Meghann!!!
I can not even tell you how much you inspire me! Great job. So impressive.
Congratulations!! You are a super star!!!
Sister you rock the house! That is some damn fine work right there. Congrats on your first tri! Freaking awesome!
amazing job on your first tri! i dont think i could do that, looks tough but you did awesome.
Excellent job on your first tri!!! You should be very proud of yourself.
Congrats, Meghann! What an amazing accomplishment!!! ๐
Congratulations! Awesome job!
Congrats on a awesome accomplishment!
congrats on an impressive accomplishment!
Awesome job on the tri. You are so, so, so impressive!
Sarah
http://sarahdbelle.wordpress.com/
Congrats!!!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself! Your parents are great too – it makes a world of a difference when you have so much support!
You are so badass it’s NUTS. Nice job! Until your next race, that is!
Congratulations!!! What an exciting day for you!
Congrats Meghann! What a great experience!
Awesome awesome awesome, after having just ran (well ran/walked) my first 5k last weekend at Disney, i’m impressed with what you did! ๐ Way to go!
Congratulations! That all sounds so awesome!
You did great!
-Leslie
http://lovejackson.blogspot.com
Meghann!!! Congratulations!!!!!!! I am SO proud of you. I promise I was thinking of you on Saturday and told my mom all about how you have become such an amazing athlete! I’m sorry its taken me so long to finally catch up and read about your adventure. You are so motivating! There is a triathlon 101 meeting on Wednesday that I am planning to attend, to see if I really want to train for a sprint tri this summer. Eek! ๐
Congrats on your race ๐
yey!!! i was thinking about you and couldn’t wait to read about it!!! so exciting, you did an AWESOME job ๐ when’s the next one? haha, maybe i’ll start traveling south for them… as i don’t have a wet suit and just moved north!
Congratulations Meghann, you did an amazing job! It sounds like a lot of fun. I guess people are not doing a breast stroke when swimming eh? (I can not borstcrawl…Oops!)
I am going to compete in my first Tri in a few weeks, and I am so thankful to have found this. Gave me so much insight, and a few things to think about. THANK YOU!
Got to love your story! you are my hero!!! I have my first tri next weekend and I am panicking like you have no idea…I am a runner did a couple of half marathons and small races but not biking and swimming ! thanks for sharing this! definitely you have motivated me! I don’t care if I am the last in the water or the bike just want to finish it and have fun!
Thnx!!!
Comments on this entry are closed.