Is there a 12 step program for this?

Hi, my name is M-Cat, and I'm addicted to Triathlon's.

Saturday morning me and my bestie girls (and a token dude) headed to Riverton for the South County Triathlon.  We got there, set up our gear in the transition area, and made our way over for body marking.

(me, the Guppy, Dirty Ana and the Shark)

After a quick set of instructions and general run through, we hit the start line and waited for the horn.

Now, a regular triathlon starts with the swim, then bike, and end with run.  This was reversed.  So the first leg was a 5k run.  The temp was perfect, the sun just up, and the trail was beautiful.  I tried to make sure I didn't jump out of the gate too quickly, and paced myself for a little bit.  I kept reminding myself that I had at least an hour and a half of straight cardio, so I needed to set a moderate pace.

The run course was an out and back so it was easy to see where I was in the pack.  Feeling pretty good and had a great pace going.  The last section, was an 8% grade hill and it kicked my butt!  I had to keep reminding myself that I had done a MASSIVE hill just the week before, I could do this. 
Next thing I knew I was approaching the end line and ready to transition to the bike.  I glanced at my watch and now I can't remember my time, but I was happy and ready to push harder!  I sprinted into the transition area and headed for my bike.  I also could count 2 roadkills.

I quickly swapped my hat, for my helmet and ripped on my gloves.  I walked my bike to the pavement ready to start and realized that the chain had come off.  CRAP!  I stop and work the chain for a few minutes when I get it set and ready to go.  My hands are covered in grease by now, but I didn't care, I just wanted to get going. 

I had forgotten to pack shot bloks, so I was going to have to do this sans fuel.  I drank water on the flat straightways, and cranked the rest of the time.  I could see that I recognized this route, had biked it before and knew what lied ahead.  A steep down hill that while I wanted to cruise, would require some careful handling so I didn't crash.  This course was also an out and back so I paid attention noting what I would be tackling on the way back.  Luckily, the majority of the way back was a down grade so I was able to pick up some speed.  The last hill was a killer though, and even though I was determined to stay in my big ring on the bike, I just couldn't do it, I switched gears, and finished the hill before jumping back in the big ring and trying to make up some more time.

I came around the corner quickly and headed for the bike-in chute.  I glanced at my watch again and even though I can't remember my exact time now (a day later) I do know that I was feeling pretty happy, but a little weak in the knees, I knew I had my work cut out for me in the pool.  As I stripped off my shoes, socks, running shorts and tank top, down to my swim bottoms and sports bra - I added two more roadkills from the bike portion and decided to be happy with those, since I wouldn't get any in the pool.

Running from the transition area to the pool, it occurred to me that there was a lot of jiggling going on and many spectators.  I pictured myself showing up on some ugly website, like the people of walmart or something.  Such strange thoughts for the middle of an event like this!

I made my way to my lane and jumped in.  I had been frantically putting my cap and goggles on and was hoping I had everything secure enough  to stay in place for the 400 meters required of me.  Off I went, fairly alone in the lane, when I could feel more waves and knew that the dude I had just passed on the bike about 10 minutes earlier, had caught up and was now passing me in the pool.  CRAP!

Oh well - nothing to be done but just keep swimming.  I found a good pace, and kept at it.  There weren't many in the pool so it wasn't as difficult to get air as it has been in the past.  That was nice.  I finally finished the 400 meters and glanced at my finish time.  1:21 and some change.  Couldn't be happier! 

I drug myself out, found KL and congratulated him on finishing so strong and started looking for my other friends.  One by one, they came into the pool area and finished up.  I was so proud and happy for all 4 of them!
It was their first triathlon ever and I loved watching the looks in their eyes and the expressions on their faces and they finished.  Okay, I missed KL - but only cause he's a freakin animal and no matter how hard I try, I will never catch him, but my girls........it was awesome!  Guppy who had some serious anxiety in the pool, Dirty Ana - who pretty much laughed all the way through, and the Shark - who was seeing black spots and shaking but still kept on.  I think I liked watching them finish more than anything!

(ana and guppy)

Once everyone was dried, and loaded up, we posed for another "after" picture and then we were all off in our different directions but each leaving as a Triathlete!

Yup - it's official.  I'm addicted.  Added another one in August.  That makes two more for the season.  I'm either an idiot or just plain crazy.  Wait - don't answer that.

  **and let the record state - I'm more than a little ticked that I don't have a picture of KL to add to this post.  Trust me - dude is an ANIMAL!  Kudos to you all 4 of you!