Last weekend, I did a triathlon with my in laws. My cute sister in law, Rachele, invited me to do it with her and her husband, Robbie. Why not? They are fun people, I enjoy exercise and a good challenge, and it was something different. We ended up having a blast and I learned a few lessons in the process!
1. It is always good to bring a helmet for the bike portion of the race. Everyone brings them….except me. I
didn’t even think to bring mine! Fortunately, Mike is friendly and the guy he was standing next to in line happened to know where an extra helmet was. Whew! Crisis averted! Thank you Mike and your new friend.
2. Where there is a downhill, there is always an uphill. Who knew that hill by the University of Utah football stadium was so stinking big?
3. It is always good to go mountain biking at least once before you participate in an actual race.
Now you may ask me, but didn’t you know when it said 8 mile mountain bike course on the registration? Well, apparently I hear what I want to hear because I was convinced it was a paved course or at least tightly packed even ground. WRONG! There were places where I swear I would have lost my life (or at least a limb or two) if I had attempted to ride the course. I promptly got off my bike at this point and walked it down and up the rocky path of death. (Good thing I had the helmet..Again, thank you Mike and your new friend.)
4. I still like participating in races for the goody bags you get when you register. Its like Christmas. I love the free t-shirts.
5. It is always good to bring a towel to dry off, cuz you know you do have to get wet to do the swim. Again, I
completely forgot this tiny tidbit of information. As we were setting our stuff up, Rachele got her towel out and placed it on her bike. My frantic thoughts, “What the? Why does she have a towel? Was I supposed to bring a towel? Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why didn’t I think of that? DUH!” But don’t worry this crisis was also averted, Rachele and I went to the bathroom (the first of many times going to the bathroom…I drank a lot of water, I was in a long line, and I was nervous….not a good combination). Anywho so we went to the locker room to find a bathroom and what to my wondering eyes should appear? A nicely folded stack of towels just begging for me to take one. ….So I did. I now owe the University of Utah a white towel.
6. You know how every racecar driver has a good pit stop crew? Well every racer needs a good JJ pit stop crew. JJ tuned up my bike, put air in my tires, tightened my shocks, held my bags, drove me to the race in the wee hours, and cheered me from start to finish. Best pit stop crew ever.
7. Training is always good. I signed up for this thing about two and a half weeks ago. Me, being the fit beast I am (that was sarcasm) thought that I could fit in some swims and runs. Ask me if I’ve been running in the past two weeks….once. Ask me if I’ve been biking in the last two weeks…nope! Ask me if I’ve been swimming in the last two months? Nope!
8. If you want to get in the top three finishers just do what Robbie did and skip the whole bike part. (his bike chain broke about 1/3 way into the mountain bike so he walked his bike back down the hill and went on to the run) For proof go here: http://www.trihive.com/2008/04/4th-street-clinic-triathlon-2008-results/
9. Races are a blast when you do them with people you love. ….And when you make matching t-shirts.
12 comments:
congrats on your triathlon and your wedding! i loved reading your blog about your honeymoon!!!
You are such a go-getter Natalie. If someone had used the word "triathlon" and the phrase "do you want to do a..." in the same sentence to me I may have passed out right there! Unless of course the word 'do' in the sentence was changed to 'watch'. I'd have come to cheer, but thats about all. I probably would have even carried your towel for you, but after that my work would have been done. So impressed that you did it!
Don't be so modest- you are a fit beast and you weren't being sarcastic!- Besides that is my title- since you have the fit beast one and all!
Natto!
I never got to say Congrats on tieing the knot. We got your wedding invite and it looks like you got a winner. I wish it could've been my cuz (good ole Tim) so I could have you in the family, but life goes on :) Love your blog. It's good to see what you are up too.
Way to go tri-athletes! Fun lessons learned from a gal who has all her ducks in a row ;) You crack me up!
sorry for the lack of photos! i didn't want to be that person...the one who doesn't have a husband or kids so just posts pictures of themselves to make up for it...i will get more up soon!
i have been up to nothing...working and working and yeah, thats about it!
the mazda finally died so i had to get a new car...it was a very sad day :(
anyway...glad you replied to my post!
keep in touch!! :)
Natalie you are the funniest person. You're awesome! That was awesome huh? Let's do another one when we get back? What you you say? (Said with a lisp) :D.
Natalie (and JJ),
We are so happy for you! Congratulations on the marriage...we both think you are awesome!
- Sy and Ashlee Winkelman
You guys are animals. Congrats on finishing it!
Woo-hoo!! I'm incredibly proud you even did it! And I agree, that hill by the U is huge. Well played Natto. PS-- Your secret's safe with me about the towel thing (even though i AM a U employee.. I'll just work a couple extra hours and pay it off for you).
C'mon. You deep down inside liked doing the triathlon and want to do another one sometime. I think they are fun...not the training part...but the afterwards feeling of accomplishment is awesome! Next time, just remember a few more things. ;) Sounds like fun!
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