Tagged

I was tagged by the soon-to-be UlTrA CrAzY Bubba

1) Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever.

“Holy Smokes! Who replaced my legs with jelly?!?!”

We’ll pretend that the mini-tri brick at the newbie clinic last July counts so that I don’t spend the whole post talking about a single event. The little mini-tri sounded pretty easy. The point was for us to practice transitions and get a feel for how the real event would play out a few weeks later. But alas! The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Hence the benefit of training bricks. Who knew?!?!?

2) Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon.

"Oh.My.Gosh. I'm actually doing it!!"

My first and only real event was the Socorro Chile Harvest Sprint Triathlon last August. I was elated when I came out of the swim. At that moment I had conquered what could have easily been the deal-breaker. I had only learned how to swim a few months earlier.

3) What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?

I was in such a happy place coming out of the swim that I failed to use common sense while running barefoot on wet pavement around a corner into T1. Down I went. Hard. Breaking the fall with the left side of my body. And my face. I split my chin open, scraped up my hip, arm, chest, and got a few nice bruises. Not sure what hurt worse, my pride or the injuries. I would have liked to go hide under a rock at that point, but that would have prevented me from finishing the race, so I got up and just kept going. I was glad to find out that I didn't need stitches when I finally got medical attention after the race.

4) What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?

I crossed the finish line!! I can hardly believe I did it. I want to do it again. and again. and again.

The very talented Jenny made me an awesome pillow from my race t-shirt (and for a good cause - read about it on her site).

5) What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?

I learned that I am incredibly blessed. I have good health, a wonderful husband, awesome teenaged kids, a beautiful location, etc. God has shown me a way to enjoy life in this body and get across the finish line with a smile on my face no matter how long it takes.

6) What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?

I’m hoping to complete an Olympic-distance Triathlon this year; maybe half-Iron in '08. But above all, I want to carry out my life in a way that gives glory to God.