It all started bright and early Sunday morning.

Luckily I was smart enough to pack Saturday night (this doesn’t normally happen for races anymore!).

I so appreciated being a runner when packing, btw. All we really need to run are a pair of tennis shoes (well, and pants)!

The park was already bumpin when we got there so we quickly headed over to set up our gear in transition.

The white bike and brown towel are mine! I felt that I was prepared as well as I could be and headed over to check out the swim.

It was a weird course. I’ll try to explain it the best I can.

We started between the green buoy’s (where the stars are) and swam out to the far orange buoy, under the ropes, and back between the two lane markers, around the second orange buoy and ran out of the water where the red arrow is (obvi).

I had no idea where to line up for the swim. So I got up in the mix of everyone, but stayed towards the back. Mistake #1. I was stuck behind people slower than me and I had no idea how to get around them. So I ended up having to stand up a few times (it was shallow enough to stand) to slow myself down. I wasn’t sure of the etiquette and what I should do so I swam around everyone else instead of swimming my own race. Mistake #2. My anxiety over this was so intense. My heart rate spiked and stayed that way for the rest of the race. Mistake #3.

Total swim + run to transition = 8:40 (blah)

Holy crap – transitions are no joke. The adrenaline is flowing, hands are shaking, your whole body is wet – it isn’t easy!

T1 = 1:51

It felt good to get on my bike. A little more familiar territory than the swim. However, I was SO THIRSTY the entire ride. And I’m still a little uncomfortable riding and drinking so I slow down big time when I drink on the bike (something to work on!). The ride was 12 miles – 2 loops. But those loops were hilly. And I suck on hills. I hate hills. But I dug down deep and just rode. (Beal flew past me 2 miles into my ride and I think I laughed out loud. He’s so amazing on the bike – dude’s got serious skills.) I really enjoyed the ride and thought I had done well enough until I got my time.

12 miles = 42:53 = 16.8 miles/hour (blah) – this is the pace I ride with J on the weekends. Not race pace! Maybe I was scared to push myself knowing that I still had to run. Mistake #4

T2 = 1:22

My heart rate was still high as I headed out for the run, but running is my jam so I was really looking forward it. Plus, I knew I was almost done!! But it took a good mile before I found my stride. And, again, the run was 2 loops and hilly! My goal was to stay under a 9 minute mile and I had to work hard to do that. Harder than I’m used to. A 9 minute mile isn’t the same after swimming and biking!

3 miles = 25:16 = 8:32/mile

Total time = 1:20:04 – 11/15 in my age group

I left the race feeling pretty great. It was fun morning! Coach showed up to support his athletes (surprised me!) and it was fun knowing so many people racing. Everyone is so supportive of one another!

I took so much away and learned so much from this race. But I think I’ll leave those thoughts til tomorrow. I’m sure you’ve had enough for today.

How did you spend your Sunday morning?? What time was your alarm set for?