Flowing Lake

Last weekend I completed my 2nd Triathlon and last for the season. Boy what a summer! I was constantly thinking about when I would swim, bike or run next. It is a great way to get your butt in gear and a fun way to compete! If you ask my friend Kariann, she would say "where did Amy go?" She means my normal staying up late, having a margarita or two and having people over every weekend somewhat changed this summer. I couldn't help think about having to wake up early the next day to go jump in the lake or taking a jog, so I took it easy this summer. My brother has been doing Triathlons for some time now, honestly I didn't get it until I started training. I never paid much attention to them because I didn't understand the extent of them or what it took to be competitive. I have to give my brother props, he rocked the Flowing Lake Triathlon last weekend, 2nd overall and 1st in his age group. http://www.buduracing.com/raceresults/20080913_234.xls It was the first time I got to see him compete. Well I only got to see him swim, but that was awesome. We saw the 1st wave take off to complete the 400 m swim, after about 5 minutes I saw some guy way ahead, I had no idea who it was because everyone had a grey swim cap on and goggles. As the leader started to stand up out of the lake I saw that is was Dave, I was so excited and proud! I started jumping up and down and screaming (Josh said I sounded like a cheerleader, which I never was one). I was already in my wetsuit getting ready to swim, but forgot for that quick second that I was racing so I could be a proud sister, I yelled "that is my brother!"

When it was my turn to swim I tried taking it easy, Dave told me to go at it at a 4 out of 10 and save something for the bike. When you are swimming it is easy to feel lost, there are swimmers all around you and you have no idea if you are ahead, behind or just right. I felt sand so I stood up and started trying to unzip my wetsuit and run up to my bike. I couldn't find my zipper for a second, panicked then everything was fine. I raced up to my bike, tore off my wetsuit, put on wet socks, bike shoes and my helmet. As I was doing all of this in 2 minutes, I could hear Chloe say "Mom! I made something for you!" and I hear Josh say calmly, "you are doing great Amy, great swim time" This was so awesome to hear because at my firt Tri I didn't have anyone there to support me, I loved having my whole family there. I quickly grabbed my bike and ran it up to the mounting area. As quick as I could, I locked into my pedals and took up off the hill. I have done this ride so many times because I live on the bike course, I knew exactly what I had to do.

I made it out of the park and turned the corner, there I saw Nancy riding and could see my friend Liz on the corner yelling "Go Amy!" How cool, fans!! The ride was pretty normal but I wasn't used to having so many other bikers on my course ;) A few of us kept passing each other and laughing about it As I continued on course I was approaching my neighborhood. Nancy was right there with me. There they were, our neighbors and friends,Katie and Ellie, Kariann, Jason, Hannah and Ryan were cheering us on. I saw Kariann standing up yelling with her camera, great site to see 1/2 way through the race. I knew there were still several tough hills to come. But I did it, raced into the park exhausted, but knew I had to forget about the bike and get on my running shoes.

The first lap of the 1.9 mile run was so hard, my calves were on fire, I had to stop and walk for a second, I didn't want to collapse. I saw my friend and training partner Christine behind me, we got to run together for a while and laugh at each other too, we were quite a site while thinking we were done after only one lap! We finally figured out that we needed to do, one more hilly loop. I tried to sprint the last few minutes and crossed the finish line with my girls waiting for me at the end. Christine finished right after me 1st and 2nd in our age group!!! Woohooo!!

What a day. It was awesome weather, close to home, my family was there to cheer me on. Couldn't have asked for anything more. I was starving and couldn't wait to eat, but we had to rush home for naps and get ready for Maddie's 1st soccer game.