I came, I swam and biked and ran, I conquered

Henry and I Before the race.

On Saturday, I did my very first Triathlon. It was the International or 'Olympic' distance. This consists of a 1500 meter swim (0.9 miles), 40k bike ride (24 miles), and a 10k run (6.2 miles). It was in a small town called Bumpass, VA, which is near Fredericksburg. The swimming portion was in Lake Anna and the biking and running were near the lake as well.

I had SO MUCH fun doing this! All I have been thinking about since I finished was when my next Triathlon will be and that hopefully I can move up to the next step up in distance (the half Ironman or 'Ironman 70.3' as they are often called).

Let me give you a quick break down of each of the three parts and then lots of pictures and videos:

Swimming

The water was cold: 68 degrees. I rented a wetsuit and its a good thing I did. It was also windy, raining, and cloudy. This resulted in choppy lake conditions that were very difficult to swim in. I got disoriented easily in the water, and had to alter my stroke to be able to keep my head above water more than I normally would. I managed to finish the 1500 meters in 36 minutes.

Biking

Biking is definitely my strength in the sport of Triathlon. I did the 24 mile bike ride in 70 minutes. I passed a lot of people that finished the swimming before me. I pushed myself about as hard as I ever have biking, and I pretty much went full speed ahead the entire time without slowing down. It was a fantastic good time, it was pure enjoyment the whole ride.

Running

This was the big question mark going into the Triathlon. The farthest I had run in the last 2 years was 3 miles (since I injured my leg in 2009). I had to run 6.2 miles in this Triathlon and I didn't know if I was going to have to walk most or all of it or what? When I left the transition area my leg felt fine and I just started running and never stopped! It was very encouraging that I was able to run the 10k without stopping and that my legs are fine. This gives me lots of hope and encouragement moving forward to the next step up.

Me getting into the water a few minutes before the race started.

Me waving to Michelle moments before the race started.

And we're off! I am in there somewhere.

Coming around the final buoy, about to finish the swimming leg of the race.

The Transition area where everyone's biking and running equipment are set up and ready for transitioning from swimming to biking and from biking to running.

Me putting my helmet on and getting psyched up to ride!

Almost ready to start biking...

All set to start biking, I just had to walk my bike out of the transition area.

Walking my bike out of the transition area and up a hill. We were allowed to get on the bike at the top of the hill.

Almost at the top of the hill.

This picture is after the 24 mile bike ride. I am walking my bike down the hill now and back into the transition area to get ready to run.

The beginning of the 10k run. You can see the timing chip around my ankle that is used to time each portion of the race.

Me coming down the final stretch, about to finish the Triathlon and become a triathlete!

All in all, I honestly had the time of my life. I cannot wait to do another Triathlon event. The atmosphere is so much fun to be in, and it was a great feeling to have Michelle cheering me on as I started and finished each of the three phases. I feel lucky to have a wife that supports me in this sport, as it requires some traveling and buying lots of gear for the swimming, biking, and running.