So I did my first Triathlon this weekend and I would like to now compare it to having a baby!
1. It seemed like such a good idea when I decided to sign up for it:
No matter how much you think you are prepared, its so different actually doing it. When I was standing with my little group taking in the last instructions, my heart was pounding out of my chest. It was too late to back out but all of my muscles and thoughts were telling me to run the other way. I actually started to panic for a minute when we started and I had to take a few side strokes to control my breathing and get a grip. From there I was able to regain composure.
2. It is so much longer and harder then you expected:
They ended up having to add an extra 6.5 miles to the bike course because of construction and I transitioned to the bike just as a hurricane was coming through the area. There were points where I really thought, "this may never end". Which is exactly what I thought when I gave birth to Brookie.
3. The epidural really helps:
After about 5 miles up uphill on the bike, I came to a 2 mile down hill and for a moment, all my pain disappeared. I actually yelled at the top of my lungs, "wwwwhhhhhheeeeeeeeee" cause I was so eternally grateful for that down hill!
4. You let people take horrible pics of you to commemorate the occasion:
I have done it, and most of you moms have done it! Don't lie, you're in your hospital gown and you look like you went through a war zone and you still let the camera fly! Why?? Cause you just went through the war zone! And someone better think your awesome for doing it no matter how you look. Here is my finish pic, and while it is no podium ovation, it has victory written all over it!
5. Expect the unexpected:
Half way through the swim, (literally half way) the sirens starting going and they told us all to swim to the nearest beach because lightning had been spotted. Hahaha. I was exactly half way, which is the furthest I could be, but since we had to "abandon ship" the swim portion got cut short. Here is a pic of us surprised swimmers trying to figure out if we keep going or not (which we did).
6. Lastly but not leastly, Don't ask if I'm doing it again right after I did it.
Some of you super human athletes (Drew) may not understand this, but as I am lying there catching my breath and trying not to vomit and trying to figure out what I just did to myself, the LAST thing on my mind was doing it again. (Not to say that I won't some time when I forget the pain and only have my precious finishers medal to cheer me on!) But for now, consider this well checked off of my bucket list!
Despite the pain, I am glad that I did it and I do feel like super woman and I am proud of myself! There is nothing like crossing a finish line and knowing that the months and months of hard work and training got you there and to see in your husbands eyes that he totally thinks you are soooooo hot for doing that!
