My first olympic distance tri

[Tri Girl]

Hey ladies,
I just finished my first oly distance. It was so great! 200 flailing, kicking, punching bodies (both in the water and out )Weather conditions were not the most ideal (choppy water, 15mph crosswinds w/ some fierce 20-25mph gusts, and a lovely hot run in the 90's), but they never are and it was a great event nonetheless!!!! So exciting to be out there doing something amazing. It was the Route 66 triathlon in wonderful El Reno, OK (most of the bike course is along old Route 66- so you really do get your kicks...). You should give it a try sometime if you're in the area this time of year (have no fear-last year's conditions were perfect, so it's just a gamble, eh?).

I finished in a great time (for me) , and am always pretty happy when I'm not last (although at our club's races, the last place person always gets a really nice transition bag and the most cheers of anyone- so it's not so bad). The best part- I was pretty fast in the water, and although that meant getting passed a hundred times on the bike, I got passed by some pretty fit men tri-studs and got to watch them ride away.... grrrrreat view.

I've been so inspired reading about your tri experiences, and have loved getting into this sport! Your stories and encouragement make this so much fun for me (and for others, too). I'm training for an iron distance in Sept, but truthfully can't imagine doing this for another 14 hours... sheesh- how'd you do it Denise? You ladies are the best!! Thanks for all the inspiration!

[Lise]

Wow! You rock! Any pictures? Hmmmm?

[Tri Girl]

Thanks Lise. Our camera had battery issues at the race , but there should be some from the official photographer in the next few days. Let's hope I sucked in my gut and looked as happy as I felt inside...

[Lise]

Thanks Lise. Our camera had battery issues at the race , but there should be some from the official photographer in the next few days. Let's hope I sucked in my gut and looked as happy as I felt inside...

I hear ya on the gut sucking issue! Best wishes! I'll bet your joy shines through.

[btchance]

Congrats on the tri! (even in the typical OK weather) That's awesome, especially since you got such a great view Where did you guys do the swim, though, Lake El Reno? That's the only one I can think of out there and last time I was there, it wasn't exactly the nicest. Anyways, keep going and I know you can do the Iron distance. It is Redman, isn't it. At least there's not a lot of hills in the area!

[Tri Girl]

Thanks btchance! Are you from here? You know an awful lot about the area...
The race swim was in Lake El Reno. A pretty nice lake area, but the water is murky and dirty. A lot of people had dirt beards when they came out of the water. Ick! Good thing it was choppy and I swallowed a lot of it. There are some big catfish in the water- the might have out-swam me yesterday if they weren't so scared off by the hundreds of thrashing bodies.
Yes, I'm planning on doing the Redman (how did you know?). They changed the course this year to a 2 loop 56 mile course (better than last year when it was a 4 loop 28 mile loop course). Not too many hills, but plenty of rollers which sometimes wear me out more than a few big hills. I'll still take it over some races tho...
You coming out to do the Redman? We could get you on a team, or you could do the half... you know you wanna....

[kaybee]

Awesome! You tri people amaze me. I'd never get to the biking and running part because I'd drown during the swim!

KB

[Brina]

congrats on doing the tri. It sounds awesome.

[KSH]

Great job!

How exciting! Thanks for sharing your report!

[btchance]

Thanks btchance! Are you from here? You know an awful lot about the area...
The race swim was in Lake El Reno. A pretty nice lake area, but the water is murky and dirty. A lot of people had dirt beards when they came out of the water. Ick! Good thing it was choppy and I swallowed a lot of it. There are some big catfish in the water- the might have out-swam me yesterday if they weren't so scared off by the hundreds of thrashing bodies.
Yes, I'm planning on doing the Redman (how did you know?). They changed the course this year to a 2 loop 56 mile course (better than last year when it was a 4 loop 28 mile loop course). Not too many hills, but plenty of rollers which sometimes wear me out more than a few big hills. I'll still take it over some races tho...
You coming out to do the Redman? We could get you on a team, or you could do the half... you know you wanna....

I grew up and lived 20min from Lake El Reno (near Union City/Mustang) and was out there a couple of times a week up until 2 yrs ago, and absolutely no one ever wanted to go there because of the water Anyways, would I like to do Redman, yes, but can I get out there, nope. Absolutely no chance of me being able to get off. As far as knowing which one, I just made a guess since it is the only one in the area that I know of. Good luck!

[DirtDiva]

Well done Tri Girl!!!

[Running Mommy]

Great job TRI GIRL!! And you wll ROCK the Iron distance in the fall! It's all mental, aaaalllll mental! I never once thought about how long I had been out there or how much farther I had to go. I just kept my mind right where I was at the moment and concentrated on making the next cut off. Of course as you know I was chasing cut offs, so that was the most important thing at the moment. if I wasn't my mind may have wandered a bit more, I don't know. But I just enjoyed being out there with everyone and marvelled at how *I* was doing an ironman..
I have the feeling you are going to do JUST FINE!!
Just keep smiling! You've been given a gift!
Denise

[JoyfullySo]

Thank you for sharing your accomplishment with us!!!!!

It's great to do something like that for the first time. Congrats!!!!

[colby]

Great job, Tri Girl, you rock! Congrats!

[jsgeneroso]

Dear Tri Girl,

Congratulations on completing your first oly. tri. My first one is this summer and I hope to complete it with the same attitude (i am nervous!).

Cheers!