Triathlon number one...done

On Thanksgiving morn, Dixie, Eric and I headed out to the Goodyear YMCA for our sprint triathlon. I woke up at 3:45 a.m., and then again at 4 because I was ready to roll. What can I say, I'm a pro. Anyway, we all left my parents house around 5:15 or so. I won't bore you with all the details. Pictured above is Eric and I before beginning the race. These shots below are me just finishing the run portion and getting ready for the bike. I had to give Lana a "money shot" of me chuggin' down the liquid refreshment...



One thing in my favor was that they shortened the run from 2 miles to 1.5 because the rain had ruined part of the "track". Eric and I started 15 min. before Dixie. He finished the run a couple minutes or so ahead of me. Then I took off on the bike. It was a three "lap" ride. Each lap was 4 miles. After the first lap, my mind started fighting me, "Just go slower. No one is expecting anything less. In fact, act like you're going to barf or something. No biggie. Take as long as you need..." It was at that point, I had a breakthrough mentally, and realized that I can do what I put my mind to. I kept saying, "Just one more, just one more, just one more." Pretty soon, there was no more to do. (Here I am doing a little backstroke to get some relief!! And the other shot is one Lana took of me from the final lane--finishing strong!)



Eric beat me, and although Dixie didn't pass me, she beat me too. But I felt great about what I had just accomplished. I realized that with better eating habits (number one), and harder, more dedicated training, I could do MUCH better. So, that's what I'm doing. I'd go so far as to say, I think I could beat Dixie. But, I won't say that until I actually feel that way. I don't feel that way now for sure. Well, except for a 100 yd dash--I can still win that one. hehehe.

A great experience! Everyone should start training to do one of these things. Lana and the kids came too. That felt extra special when I saw how proud of me she was. How rewarding.



Crossing the finish lane...and the aftermath...:) "Please don't puke, please don't puke...." However, my brother was behind me ralphing all over--his wife got a picture of that. :)



Here is Eric (talking with our dad on the cell), Dixie and me after recovering for a second. We were all feeling pretty good after it all. Well, I think Dixie never really needed much recovery, but who cares?!



Here's a picture of the family getting ready to head back home. Lana and the kids drove out with her brother Dallin to watch and take pics. Dane was pretty exhausted and slept the entire hour drive back home. I was too pumped to think about sleeping!