Why not Try a Tri?

[Susanne 32]

OMG, what have I gotten myself into? I actually got talked into doing a triathlon...well, not really talked into, but at first some one asked me to just run their part because of a foot injury, and then she didn't want to do it at all and in a moment of confidence I decided "Sure, I can do a tri"

It's just a sprint triathlon, ie. 0.4 miles swimming, 14 miles cycling, 3 miles running but never the less -- I am still far out from athlete figure and with a BMI of 32 still obese. WTF is an obese woman doing at a triathlon???

Well, if you don't hear back from me, I drown, got run over or just died on the last leg, LOL!

PS: Yes, this post is bragging but at the same time I can really use some encouragement!

[Susanne 32]

So, I survived it :-)

I finished in 1 hour 49 minutes and it was amazing! Swimming was as bad as I expected. I was able to pull through with a steady breast stroke but of course everyone else was freestyling and really, breast stroke can't keep up with that. I came out of the Water with only 3 people behind me -- well, I came out of the Water and didn't die out in the lake, right?

I had high hopes for my bike ride. I started all alone, the crowd was already gone, and it took a while until I started to spot a bike at the horizon. I kicked it up and started to pass him. Next I passed a couple, then a group of three, then some young dude, another group of two and as I kept passing people I kept thinking "Yeah, I am totally still in this!"

I think I passed between 18 and 20 people on my bike, fit and athletic people and it took me 50 minutes for the 14 mile ride.

Next up was the running...oh, the running. OK, a 5k now...I thought "You gotta be kidding me". But somehow, I made my little footsies go pat-pat-pat and I almost ran the whole 3 miles with only minimal walking up the two hills.

The run took me about 35 minutes, and while it was slower than both of my other 5ks, I had to keep reminding myself that this was after a big swim and an even bigger bike ride.

All in all, it was amazing. I met my three goals which were (in the order of importance):

1. Don't die

2. Don't be last

3. Finish in under 2 hours

I have been riding the couch for the rest of the day and enjoying my victory. My husband is beaming with pride and so am I.

What a wonderful experience...if I could change one thing, I would have tried and practice the swim a little more

[Rootman 1,101]

Congrats! Great job!

[AutumnLily 77]

Congratulations!!!! I too am impressed with your accomplishment.

[Dawn 16]

WOOHOO!!! CONGRATS!!! You are totally an inspiration! I have been thinking more and more about trying a Tri but am SO SCARED (mostly of the bike!! hehe)

[Susanne 32]

The bike was really my most comfortable art. See, when I am running, I am basically always at close to max. If someone is running in front of me, there is usually very little I can do to catch up.

On the bike on the other hand, there is always just that little bit more that I can ush out. I think a big part is just that I do not have to carry my weight on my feet/knees/legs alone.

I was racing with my SIL's helmet, I haven't gotten around to getting my own and needed to return the other one. I want to get my own helmet and then see how I can incorporate the bike as transportation. I am thinking I am riding with my husband to his work, then get the bike off the rack and ride to my work which is about 8 miles. After work, I can chose...have him pick me up at work, ride back to his work and get another 8 miles in -- or be very ambitious and ride home which is about 17 miles!

The good thing is, not only do I save on gas, I am also saving time because I am combining my ride to and from work with a 1+ hour exercise and the time I would usually sit on my fat a$$ in the car is rolled into my work out.

[carolina girl 56]

This is the kind of story that inspires me!!! I used to be a runner- I ran 6 days a week! I ended up with plantar fasciitis in both feet after the birth of my third child. Of course I didn't know why my feet hurt so bad, I thought it was from gaining weight during my pregnancy. Long story short- I suffered for a year before I finally pushed through it. I have gained 70 lbs over the last 4 years, so running hasn't been a part of my life for a while, but story's like this ignite a spark in me and give me hope that I will be running again before long. My middle son is going to train with me to do a 5k in December, hopefully that is do-able for me. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[warrior68 16]

That is so frigging Awesome!

A mini Triathlon is one of my goals, I have no problem with the bike ride, I am decent with swiming, but I suck at the running! I so badly want to like running / jogging, and I really want to be better at it, problem is I just flat out hate it!

[Susanne 32]

This is the kind of story that inspires me!!! I used to be a runner- I ran 6 days a week! I ended up with plantar fasciitis in both feet after the birth of my third child. Of course I didn't know why my feet hurt so bad, I thought it was from gaining weight during my pregnancy. Long story short- I suffered for a year before I finally pushed through it. I have gained 70 lbs over the last 4 years, so running hasn't been a part of my life for a while, but story's like this ignite a spark in me and give me hope that I will be running again before long. My middle son is going to train with me to do a 5k in December, hopefully that is do-able for me. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Sorry for the late reply, and I am glad I could be of service! :-)

I was never a runner, so I am even more excited that I can do it -- and actually like it Running a 5k was great, but really nothing beat the thrill of having finished the triathlon. If you have one in your area, I can highly recommend it!

[carolina girl 56]

Sorry for the late reply, and I am glad I could be of service! :-)

I was never a runner, so I am even more excited that I can do it -- and actually like it Running a 5k was great, but really nothing beat the thrill of having finished the triathlon. If you have one in your area, I can highly recommend it!

I will find one to do!!! I find my self reading your story and I feel like I'm right there beside you. I can just picture myself doing all this again one day! I'm going to start swimming after my two week recovery period is up. I haven't been in a pool in a long time and I think it will be a good place to start exercising again. I have been walking about three days a week for the last month or so. I will continue that too until I can start working up to a walk/jog and then walk/jog/run. I don't even own a bike but I have asked for one for my birthday (October) so maybe I can get something to get me started on. I get sleeved this Friday July 29th, wish me luck! Thanks again for sharing, can't wait to hear about your next adventure!

[Leslie 14]

Awesome!!! What an inspiration!

[Susanne 32]

I have been largely inactive but I have now fully taken to the bike and actually did a 100 miles ride a couple of weeks ago. I try to ride at least 100 miles a week and have neglected the running a bit. But the road bike is so much fun!!!

[Douceur72 3]

How cool is that!

I've committed to my first tri in July 2012, will join my best friend who did her first one this year. I am already nervous but even more EXCITED that this is even possible for me.

This site has a great search for beginner tris, and you can search by state: http://www.trifind.com/gs_beginner/BeginnerTriathlons.html

[100%Sleeved 148]

WooHoo!!! Great job!