Setting a Goal

Last summer a good friend of ours particiapted in several Sprint Triathlons. After listening to him talk about them, I thought, I wonder if I could ever do that. This thought ran through my head several times throughout the winter. Spring came, and I decided, I was all in. In April, Chris and I signed up for our first Sprint Tri, which was going to take place in June. Let the training begin! I already had a love for biking and have always enjoyed swimming, but more just for fun. The running had me a little nervous. I ran track in highschool for a couple years, but lets be honest that was a long time ago :) I made a training calendar and set out to accomplish this goal. Because we signed up together, Chris and I took turns taining in the evenings, and on the weekends tried to train together (along with the kids). We would pull them in bike trailers while riding, come home put the wheel on and push them as we ran. If I could do it with the kids, I was confident I could do it without the kids. After a few months of training, race day was finally here.

The race took place at Belle Isle in Detroit and consisted of a 500 meter swim, a 12 mile bike and a 3.4 mile run. My three goals: finish the race, do it under 2 hours, and run the whole run. Two out of the three I was able to do. I did finish the race and did it in 1 hr and 47 min, but I did walk a few times during the running portion. Both of our familes came out to support us the day of the race. I felt so honored to have them there. We had to be at Belle Isle at 6:30am and our familes were there, with our kids by 7:30am (that's love). I am so thankful for there support.

Our Support Crew!

Our racing buddies: Team Woodruff, Spina, and Rayner

Getting ready for the swim. The water temp was 65 and the air temp was 60...brrr

There were 50-60 people in my wave to start the race...About 700 people participated in the race that day!

2 down 1 to go...swim and bike are done. Coming into the transition area to drop of my bike and put my running shoes on!

Chris coming in after the bike...the sun did peak out from behind the clouds during the bike, but it was still in the 60's!

Coming down the chute to finish the race!!!

VICTORY!! I couldn't have been more proud. I came around the final corner and all of our family (as well as Chris, Corey, and Jason, who had already finished) were cheerning me on. I fought back tears, hearing all of them shout my name and knowing that I was just feet away from finishing the race. Corey yelled, "Sprint" as I ran by. I put my head down, and with the rush of pure adrenaline, sprinted the final 150 feet to the finish line.

Thank you Chris for supporting me and letting me drag you into this!

It was a cold and dreary day, but I had a great time and was so proud that I had accomplished the goal. I took a few weeks off and am now back to training for another tri at the end of August!!!