My first was also a danskin tri. I had watched the previous year's that my mother in law did, and ever since then, we've done it together (well, not literally together, though because of our age difference, we ALMOST finish together... THAT would be cool).

I was a competitive swimmer as a kid, but hadn't really swam since then. I don't know that I really trained for swimming, maybe one or two trips to the lake. I mostly started running. Well, walking... jogging... then running... much later. I had already bought a road bike to ride with my dad and husband (we all got bikes at the same time), and rode to work and did some regular riding. I wish I'd known about training plans then... or maybe not. Sometimes I feel married to my training plan now.

It was so... amazing... to cross the finish line that first time. I was doomed from the moment I started that triathlon. The adrenaline. The feeling of completing something that was a challenge for me. The individuality and yet amazing camaraderie at the same time. Watching people finish that were challenged to their maximum, winning a personal victory, and still having fun doing it.

Hah. It sounds so sappy and romantic. I feel like a total dork talking about it that way. I hope I'm not the only sappy and romantic person out there. I always try to describe the feeling of crossing the finish line to my husband, about the mental and physical victory, whether it's your first, a special victory, something you did in your (mother/sister/friend)'s honor... I wish that feeling was a gift you could give someone in a little box in that moment when they need it most.