You all have pretty much nailed it as to why I love triathlons, but here are my personal ones:

I've never been athletic in my life; always the last picked because I was too slow, too fat, too uncoordinated. Finishing my first tri was such a milestone! It was my first athletic endeavor and I DID IT! I didn't finish first, nor did I finish last, but I FINISHED! I crossed the finish line and was jumping up and down, bawling!! There is no stopping me now! At 45 years old, I'm not only an athlete, but I'm a TRIATHLETE!!

I love telling people that I do triathlons - something about their awe that we actually ENJOY doing them. I love hearing my sons comment, "Mom can do that, she does triathlons, you know!" I love knowing that my husband brags on me about doing the tris.........it's fun to have him so proud of what I've accomplished (he started all of this anyway, by giving me the biking bug and it GREW from there!!).

Everyone is so nice at the tris I've done - very helpful and encouraging. I enjoy sharing that, especially with kids. Nothing makes their day (or mine) more than a compliment or encouragement.

I love the way my body feels now - STRONG! I've never had this feeling before. I am not perfect, but golly! It's fun to see muscles that weren't been there before! (Anyone else ever catch themselves noticing/admiring their muscles in the mirror or is that just me?)

Lastly, as I'm starting to ramble, I love the health benefits. I'd been losing weight, but training has helped to "jump start" it so I know my weight loss goal is in sight (I'm proud to say that I've gone from 260 lbs to 147 lbs......22 pounds to go!!). My blood pressure is lower and I have tons of energy! My clothes fit better, my skin looks better, and my mood is better! Besides, with training in three sports, you're never bored and your chance of injury/burnout is less.

In a nutshell:

I LOVE TRIATHLONS!!!!

Okay, I have to go get my swim in......

Lorie