Triathlon update!

Summer has come and gone! Fall is here and it certainly arrived with gusto!

Our triathlon was fantastic! Here are a few memories from the day we became endurance athletes :)


The day started before the sun came up. Mike's swim wave was the first into the water. It was nice because I got to see him transition onto his bike before I even had to warm up for the swim. Mike's swim went smoothly. Kelp, cold water and all. He swam with the collegiate athletes and didn't finish last! Mike's bike was a breeze. (Probably his favorite part of the race) At the run, he was still managing a smile. He crossed the finish line in under 3.5 hours!

My swim was good. I managed to talk during most of it (impressive I know :) ) The other swimmers around me were pretty nervous and my staff mode kicked in. I was incredibly happy to get to the bike and get out of the water. I started the bike strong and was keeping a pretty great pace till I decided to help someone change a flat tire. A little kink, but I got back on the bike and finished strong. The run was LONG. I was starving by my second lap (poor planning on my part) but my support system rocked! It was so nice to have both my parents there. Dad even ran with me a little ways :) The final lap of the run I decided I had had enough of the triathlon and kicked it up a notch. Sprinting, walking, sprinting, walking, sprinting to the finish :) Every picture my mom has of me I'm smiling then my finish line picture is me crying...go figure. The tears were of joy and of overwhelming emotion. The feeling of crossing the finish line is indescribable.

We are a little worse for the wear post race. Mike had a minor stress fracture in his foot, and my shoulder needs some TLC but in general we are MUCH healthier then pre race. We plan on doing a Tri soon and I'm planning on a half marathon in December.

Thank you to everyone! We could not have finished with out our support team, especially Mom and Dad! A HUGE thank you to all the donations! The money I raised will help cure cancer! I raced with pictures of my honorees (Uncle Chip, Grandpa John, and Juan Leonis) on my jersey and my good luck charm, Garfield. Garfield also raced with my Uncle Chip at Ironman.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!


Mara