A Flat "Tri"

And here we "tri" again. Today Sara, Emily, and I (along with Kim, Janan, Rebecca, and Chrie) participated in the PG Tri which was hosted by the Provo High Swim Team. It was more casual than the Women of Steel Tri we did last month. We didn't have time-chips this time. We didn't even take time to get familiar with the course. We went into this tri completely blind.

I had a great experience in spite of a couple of mishaps. Today when loading my bike, I realized my tire was flat. I couldn't figure out how to pump the dumb thing up, so I took my bike and tire pump the race. Luckily Sara insisted that we take her 2nd bike with us too - just in case I needed it. I found a guy at the tri who helped me pump tire back up, and I was set...or so I thought. I neatly placed it in the transition area along with all my other essentials - helmet, towel, earplugs, goggles, swim cap, etc. I was ready. We jogged down to the starting line just in time to start our run (us girls had to make a quick potty break before the race started). The run was great. We had to climb a hill, but it wasn't bad. Em and I stayed together the entire time. She's my running buddy, and it's always nice to have someone to share the pace with. Toward the end of our run we could tell we were doing pretty well. I'd say we were in the front 1/3 of the group. In the transition area I went for my bike. After fumbling with my helmet (stupid thing), I got on my bike. Then I noticed my tire had gone flat...again! Grr, after hesitating for a moment, I laid it back and ran over to where we'd stored Sara's 2nd bike. I brought it back into the transition area, walked it out, and off I was. I lost so much time during my transition and then even more on the bike route. The route was shorter this time - only 8 miles instead of 11, but Sara's bike handled the road a lot differently from mine, so I was slower. It made me appreciate my sweet baby-blue Trek road bike all the more. My bike practically climbs hills by itself. Sara's older bike didn't. I went from the front 1/3 to probably the back 1/3 with one event. I'm not kidding. Oh-well.

It's time for me to get serious about my swim too. Thank you Tim Clyde for bringing that to my attention - as if I didn't already know. (just kidding). I did the side-stroke the ENTIRE time. Though Em had spent time with me a couple of weeks prior in the pool helping me with my swim, I gravitated to what I knew best. When I wasn't side-stroking, I was walking in the shallow end. By the next tri I plan to have spent more time in the pool. I feel 100% confident on the run and on the bike (assuming I'm on MY bike), but I need help with my swim.

Then I'll be a real competitor! Bring it on!

We Ran for Vicki!

This Saturday we ran for Vicki at "Race for a Cure for Breast Cancer" 5K downtown Salt Lake. We headed out bright and early - leaving our homes at 6:30 a.m. The race was at 8:30 a.m. We anticipated a huge turnout. Everyone had warned us. We arrived with plenty of time to walk around, check out the boothes, get a few freebies, and use the por-a-potties before the race. With just a few minutes to spare we worked our way up to the front of the group. There were literally thousands of men, women, children, families, strollers, and people from all walks of life already lined up in the streets ready for the gun to go off. I'm guessing a solid two blocks were full of people running/walking the race. We nudged up near the front, and when the gun went off so did we. The sun was out, the breeze was brisk, and the run was incredible. I think this was my favorite 5k so far. It was electric. I felt like I could have kept going. It was so energizing to see how many people turned out and how many people were along the sides of the streets cheering us on. The finish line was right in the middle of the Gateway shops. Companies donated yummy fruit, water, and Great Harvest had wholesome bread slices for each of the runners. I'm not sure exactly what my race time was. Like last time I didn't see the clock when I ran through. Sara was around 5-10 seconds behind me, and she clocked at 26:19, so I'm guessing I came in around the same time as my last 5K. This time was better though. Everything about it was better. We were running with a purpose - for all the ladies we know and will come to know who have struggled with breast cancer or any kind of cancer for that matter. We ran for one very special lady in our lives - Vicki Poelman - an incredible sister, woman, leader, mother, wife, and compassionate service leader to everyone she meets. We love her dearly, and we are so thankful to know her. She is in our hearts and in our prayers - always!