FIRST TRIATHLON...LONGLEAF race #566

This is how it all went down. Woke up at 5:20 am after a descent nights rest. T, Lee & Leland came to pick me up at 6 am. A brisk 46 degrees greated me when I walked outside. I was bundled up in 2 jackets, yoga pants, tennis shoes and gloves. We arrived at the dark, cold parking field and carried our bikes and gear across the prickly field to avoid any flats. Found myself one rack deep which is not too shabby and set up my transition. Around 7:30 we made our way down to the lake. IT WAS COLD!! I tried to keep myself from shivering to avoid burning the calories I had carefully stored for the race by running around the field which boardered the water. Just prior to race start a group of my wonderful friends showed up to cheer me on....Scott, Hannah, Grace, Barb, Dana, Todd, Cory and the Striders.

One by one the swimmers entered the water in a staggered fashion. T jumped in just before I did. I ran into the water about 42 minutes after start time and found myself in brown, WARM water. It was difficult to sight where I was or where I was going after starting my swim. My muscles were cold and the swim felt HARD!! I just kept telling myself it would all be over and I didn't want to think "I couldve gone faster" so I just kept swimming. I was exhausted by the time I ran out of the water. I ran at a good steady pace into transition which was about 1/8 mile from the water. Transition went well with only a little difficulty of putting my helmet on. My hands and feet were numb. My friends again were there to cheer me on :) I mounted my bike without difficulties and found myself in some tough head-wind on the way out. I passed alot of riders and never got passed by any athletes, that was encouraging. I saw T heading back on my way out & she looked strong & happy. We yelled at eachother to keep it up!! On the way back in the wind was at my back and the ride felt fast!! Transition into the bike area and heading out to my run was again very smooth (I unclipped from my bike without injury). My feet were still numb when I headed out for the run. I felt strong and again found myself passing alot of athletes. The final leg through Longleaf neighborhood was the best. The last mile had us making a square and again I saw T heading out of the square before I entered and was able to yell "Go Tiajuana!". There were people yelling and cheering all the athletes on. When I rounded the last corner I saw more friends and my family. Jenn & Josh & Ryan were there now as well. Jenn was holding up a sign for me & T and everyone cheered loud. It was what I needed to finish strong. I crossed the finish line in 1:09:56 and was glad it was all over. T was waiting for me with a cold towel and I just gave her a big hug. The weather was so cold that I didn't even break a sweat on the run. The following are my stats....

I finished 2nd my age group & earned a trophy. Overall time 1:09:56 (T also finished 2nd in her age group)

400m swim-7:48
Transition 1-3:35
9 mile bike/T2-33:38 ave speed 17 mph with 21.6 mph best
5 K run-24:56....YEAH!!!! mile 1 8:13 ave pace/best 7:03. mile 2 8:16/best 7:08. mile 3 7:48 ave pace/6:14 best. last 1/10 mile 7:39/best 5:37.