I'm a triathlete now

First off - crappy pics of how butt-ugly I am below - so take caution looking directly into the screen.

I haven't updated in a while - nor have I had much opportunity to get online at ALL, lately. I'm in Long Island in a Security Network class, learning how to hack. J/k.... Seriously, very cool school with a lot of information that will lead to a security certification for me, and not only will help my Naval career, but civilian as well. So, I've had time to check my email and pay bills, and that's it...

I'm in my room now, and hope to have some down time in the evening (Of course, after we tour "The City").

But, who cares - I'm a triathlete! Regardless of my sloooooowwww times!
Tri report:
1st and foremost - Had a BLAST. Loved it. It was very cool.
2nd - Didn't do well on time as I'd like to but, #1 was wayyyy more important.
3rd - I gave a funny face or smiled at every place they were snapping pics, and thanked every volunteer and cop.

Me - before the event, nervous, with my frizzy morning hair.

I didn't have ANY bricks in my training at all. In fact, I didn't train for this hardly at all and it showed. I did work on my swimming, and rarely got on the bike, ran 0 times in the last 2 wks, and haven't biked in Quite a while. So, take it from me - If you care about time for a triathlon you may be interested in - TRAIN for it. I didn't, as I had Chicago Marathon on my mind during training. Now, I don't. So, for all those triathletes that read my blog - you're going to go "huh" when you see my times, but please know that I am happy I finished it, and with a smile.

Swim: Wow, what an event. I got into the pool area when they were still calling out 350'ish numbers, then before you know it - I hear, "413", that's me. I hurried along the wall in the pool, and it was within seconds and I, plus James Brown (Yes, his name was that), were off. I was doing well in the first 4 laps, not really trampled over - until one dude swam on top of me in a pool swim. I went southern girl on his arse, and grabbed his foot to show him, you can't swim over me, making me sink in the pool and get away with it. Sorry, just not cool. He could've passed me like the other 30 in the pool, did that didn't give an accurate time. Oh well - It probably made me swim faster. That said, I think I was VERY realist with my estimated 100m swim. However, I had a lot of people passing me. Here's the deal: I swim the 400m (same pool as the tri) on friday, at an 11:18 for 400m. I was 3 secs off of what I put in for the tri, and had tons of people pass me. I actually did the swim in 10:14, and that's including my exit from the pool and running all the way outside, and through the timing mat. So, my time was way better than estimated. I give that an A.

T1 sucked. That's it. It was 2:10 - What, you may ask what I was doing - well, got everything on good enough and was on my way out of transition, when a nice guy informed me I had my helmet on backwards. Yes, you read that right... nerves, I tell ya. Oh and I gooed for the first time, and only gagged once. Yep, I'm one of those people that like to try things for the first time ON event day. Major NO-NO. Oh well.

Okay, as far as time I was right about on where I thought I'd be. I was 1:02, and assumed (had no idea, really) I'd be at about an hr. This was an extremely hilly course and for a girl that doesn't ride her bike that much, it pretty much sucked. I got passed by a ton of people, but really enjoyed the ride through the countryside and am happy to report that at no time was I off the bike for a chain drop or a bottle drop. Yahhhh for me!!!

T2: Much faster. Then again, not as much to do. 1:38 was the time. My shoelaces were all hosed up on my running shoes. Who cares?

Run: Sucked. not gonna sugar coat it at all. I was gassed. So, after going up this gravel hill then dirt hill, then over a tiny hill and through the fence, I walked. I like running, but not so much lately and I think that played into it mentally. My friend from work caught up with me and we played the run/walk routine the entire 3 miles and it showed in my time. But, I had a great time and her and I talked the entire time, like we were on a sunday stroll. Again, time showed.... 35:11. I've never done a 5K "run" with a time like that. But, I didn't care at the time.
















Maybe, my next triathlon - I'll care a little about time. That's the thing - everyone I knew there kept asking "so, how'd you do". My answer "I completed it and had fun". See - folks that's what mattered yesterday to me!!!! When we left, I still didn't know my splits and really didn't care. A big thanks goes to my hubby for taking pics and basically, taking my place at the triathlons. We switch positions this time! He was very supportive and hopes I get addicted to the sport. We'll see.... My Mom and Brother, Daniel also came out to watch and said they enjoyed it. So did Scott and Robin, and they were a great cheering squad. What fun!!!!

I had a flight at 3:30 yesterday to La Guardia, NY. I had very little time to get showered, eat a bite, and go into work to tie up some loose ends before heading to the airport. It was a long day yesterday. Today was first day of my 2 wk class, and it was great! However, my legs are feeling yesterday. Instead of resting them today - after we got back to the room, I headed to the gym and did 20min on the bike for my warmup, then because the weather is BEEE UUU tiful here (WOW, like 70's, no humidity - take that SC), I decided to go for a run. I had 2 miles in mind, well because, I had about 20 min to get back and cleaned up before we head out to din-din's. I was feeling great, that I added some on and did 3 miles, and for the first time in a while - I enjoyed my run!!! I felt no leg pain, then again - it wasn't a long run. I loved it!

We went out to eat at a nice Italian restaurant in Huntington, NY and then hit a 100yr old bar for a tapped beer. Stella was yummy. Now, I'm back and ready to hit the sack for another early morning. Tomorrow, we're going to Manhattan after we get out of school. Oh, yea, I got pointed class leader, so I gotta take care of everyone and be there on the other end of the phone in case someone gets all messed up in the city. What were they thinking???? That's alright - another bullet on my Naval evaluation.

I miss reading all ya'll's blogs and will catch up tomorrow while on my breaks in class. I really wish I had some free time to read and see what you all have been up to. So, sorry bout that. I will read tomorrow!!!

Night - night's... ladies and gents.