The only part I didn't love was that after two miles of feeling great running, my knee felt like it would go out again. Dang it. Maybe I was going too fast for myself ("too fast" as in a comfortable 10 minute pace. Horrible.). But for the last mile I ended up going even SLOWER -- limp-jogging, stretching, walking. I felt soooooooo frustrated.
At least, after that I knew my knee wouldn't bother me, since it always feels great while I'm biking. I'd never raced on a bike before, so that was a fun experience. I love my little Raleigh. Definitely my favorite segment. By the end I was nearly crying with joy (or endorphins).
So then it was time for the swim, and I got to the pool and realized I'd forgotten my goggles and swimming cap back at the transition area. DOH! I hesitated for a few seconds, wondering if I should turn around and go back for them? But finally I just jumped in. I had to keep my head above water all the time, and I felt very sloppy, but...it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference anyway - there was a lot of traffic in the pool and it wasn't very long distance.
I finished fourth in my category: the women-so-anxious-to-minimize-their-competition-they-will-allow-themselves-to-be-nicknamed-FILLIES-because-they-weigh-150-pounds category. Less than one (1) second behind #3 (I'm pretty sure there were only like five of us in the category - after all, FILLIES??? come on! Somehow I prefer to be labeled an "Athena" - that sounds almost as good as being called an amazon woman). So anyway, if only I'd had my goggles, maybe I could have received a medal. haha ;)
Anyway, I'm so glad I finally did a sprint tri. I'll definitely be doing more in the future. Who's with me???
I didn't invite anyone to come cheer me on, but luckily I ran into a couple friends and one had a camera - proof that my tale is true!
Here are a couple people I just met, plus my friend Dora (left of me) and my bike (right of me).