Tri-Utah - Jordanelle; I came, I Tri'd, I conquered!

Okay, so last year it took me FIVE CHAPTERS to post all my feelings about this event.  It was so hard.  It kicked my trash.  I was traumatized by the water.  I swore I would never do it again.  And then, like childbirth, the memories fade and I became determined to tackle this and beat it.

Splenda Daddy and the kids got there right before my wave started in the water.  I had forgotten just how far the distance was (for me anyway).  How daunting that cold water seemed.  I was nervous and anxious and fought back a freakout thinking of the water pulling me under.

However, this year, I started with a different strategy. I refused to let myself panic.  I had re-trained myself to breathe on my left rather than my right and kept myself under control.  I actually did it!  I swam the entire portion.  Okay - truth is, I flipped on my back for a half a minute to catch my breath once, and then breast stroked a couple of times to check out where I was in relation to the buoys and the finish.  Other than that, I swam it.  The WHOLE THING!  I even picked up a couple of roadkills.  I turned back after getting out of the water and instead of seeing no one, I saw SEVERAL pink caps.  I did it! 

Last years swim: 32:04.187

This year:  19:29.424

Next up the bike.

Not too many pictures...but here I am returning.  No mishaps this year like losing my bike computer.  Instead, I ate some shotbloks, drank some water and wished I would have had more air in my tires. I forgot how hard this bike course is.  Only 13 miles, but they seemed to be hard miles.  Managed some more roadkills.

Last year:  54:24.412

This year:  53.:43.456

And then the run

Yes I was exhausted.  Yes, my legs had trouble working correctly.  Yes, the course was much harder than I remember.  How is it I forget the hills?

And there I go - attempting to keep myself moving.  Fighting the urge to walk.

Last year's run:  32:02.772

This year:  29:36.821

I have to say I was thrilled!  I had bettered my times from last year in each event and even in my transition times.  I was flying high on adrenaline and endorphins for hours after!

How did the fam fare while I worked hard?

You might think they had the better end of the deal, however, considering how great I felt when I finished, I will argue that.

And while I was going about feeling all good for myself, there were also some lessons I picked up along the way.

1.  The right wet suit makes all the difference in the world.  Wrong one, and you are sucked under.  Right one, and you can glide in the water.

2.  Put air in your tires.  Always.Always.Always check the air and add more.  It will quicken your ride and feel smoother.

3.  Keep your legs moving  I wanted to walk.  BADLY.  But then I reminded myself that in the marathon next month, I will likely feel that same level of fatigue if not more, and that there would be NO STOPPING.  Fight through it.  Fight. 

4.  I can, and WILL do hard things.

How'd all the numbers end up?

Total time:  01:48:53.

Swim:  19:29.424

T1:  04:22.978

Bike:  53:43.456

T2:  01:40.529

Run:  29:36.831

11th of 19 in my division

66th of 136 in all females

185 of 294 total participants in the Sprint distance

50 roadkills

Not sure if I'll do it again next year.  I'd like to think I will.  I'd like to think that being in a new age group next year might help my chances of posting a better position,but even if I never do this event again - I beat it.  I stared that lake in the face and I won!