Last Updated on November 8, 2014 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Hear me now: I AM A TRIATHLETE!!
OK, I know *technically* I’ve done a triathlon before, but that race was nothing compared to yesterday’s Iron Girl (Columbia MD). While probably not nearly as painful, yesterday was certainly equally if not more challenging as my first marathon, and I absolutely felt more pride than I’ve ever felt at a race as I crossed that finish line.
I feel like I’m always saying “this will be my longest blog post ever”, but really, this WILL be my longest blog post to date, so, you’ve been warned.
Saturday consisted of driving to Columbia, going to the expo (met Sarah Reinersten, she was so nice!) getting my bike inspected and racked, the Team Fight lunch, and sleep. Somewhere in there Holly gave me the layout of the land, and I got to eyeball exactly how long that swim would be!
I waited a few seconds for everyone to move forward…and they didn’t. It felt like minutes before I could actually swim. And then, it seemed all of the people ahead of me were swimming at a snails pace. I took a few strokes and landed right on top of someone. The water was so dark and murky you couldn’t even see your finger tips ahead of you, never mind another swimmer. I looked up and was smack in the middle of the pack. What the heck. I am not a good swimmer, why was everyone taking so long to go? That brief second of pausing to think caused me to be run over by a few more swimmers. But I had no where to go.
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
JenniferLeah
WOOO HOOOO! Awesome job Heather, I am so super proud of you! Great job conquering that fear and I am even more impressed that you SMILED the entire run!
YOU ROCK!
Michelle
You did it!!! Great job on facing your fears! Congrats!!
track coach and adorable wife
Way to go Heather! You did so awesome and give me so much inspiration to just go out there and do my best on my tri (and not drown of course!) You’re an Iron Girl now!
FoCoRunner
Great work, and fun account.
joerunfordom
Heather –
Congratulations on the Iron Girl – I think you did an absolutely tremendous job out there in tough, tough conditions on a tough, tough course.
So happy and proud for you. Simply wonderful. I have a feeling my first try at the “tri” will be a very similar experience (I hope!).
Best to you from Austin, Joe
Alyssa
This was my lunchtime read 🙂 Congrats again, you are amazing!!
P
Woo hoo for you!!!! Awesome job, way to conquer those fears and race strong!! You can definitely bask in your post-triathlon glow, you deserve it!
TXCycleMom
Great Job and great blog. I love the detailed description of every part and since I am also a triathlete, I can appreciate it all! That IronGirl looks like an awesome race, just based on the swag and finisher’s medal alone! haha Keep up the good work!
Irene
Thanks so much for this post. You pretty much addressed all of my concerns and fears! I have yet to do a tri, but after reading this I may consider it.
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to you and conquering this tri! You were fabulous! I hope you’re still wearing your finisher’s medal. 😉
abbi
Great job…had funning reading about it!
heather
Congratulations! You did an awesome job! That course sounds crazy, not to mention the rain!
Thanks for posting all the details! I’m just learning to run, but you are so tough and inspiring it makes me think that someday I could do a tri.
Oh and that bib is the prettiest I’ve ever seen!
shellyrm aka jogging stroller mama
Great job Heather!
That open water swim would have freaked me out. Awesome Awesome job!
I love that little tee!
Velma
YEA!!! 1,000m is loooong for a first swim. Way to make it through!
Cynthia O'H
Awesome job, Heather. The boys will get use to early rises as they get older. Mine now send themselves to bed early on the night before a race and are all smiles the morning of; then, they nap in the afternoon. Perfect!
Each swim will be easier and easier.
Awesome schwag bag. I was at a race this week and we got just a sticker with our name and division on it. That’s right – a sticker. Back to the age of Achilles.
bobbi
YAY!! You did an awesome job!! I am terrified of the bike and swim, which is why it’ll be a LONG TIME (if ever) before I attempt anything tri….
Shanna
Awesome! Inspirational! Even made me tear up a little at the image of you coming up and out of the water shouting you “did it!” 🙂 Way to go!!
Barbie
Congratulations, and what a great race report. You did fantastic.
Kayla
Great job!! congrats!
Shrinking Mommy
AWESOME! You are and inspiration to all of us!
FruitFly
You totally scored on all the loot! And don’t you just love a personalized race bib? MAJOR kudos to you. I am in awe of triathletes. I would seriously STILL be attempted to swim. I wish I was kidding!
Kelly
Congrats!! You are an Iron Girl!! So bummed I missed you, but it sounds like you had a great day and are ready to come back for some more…a lot more! 🙂
brand
Wow, I LOVED reading your first tri race report!! I just started tris this year too (just learned to swim and run) so I feel such a sense of empathy when I read this. Although I got talked into doing a hard, hilly Olympic distance for my first tri (really big mistake) and didn’t figure out I liked tris until I did a sprint a couple weeks later. Now I’ve drunk the coolaid. Sounds like you have too! Can’t wait to read about your next one.
Melissa Cunningham
whooooooo! girl,you are my hero and inspiration!!!!
you are getting me more than excited about training for my first tri!
AWESOME JOB,LOVED the recap!!!
keep on keepin on chica,YOU ROCK!
Leah B.
Great job! What an amazing accomplishment!!! Maybe one day I’ll get the guts to train for a tri 🙂
workout mommy
i am in AWE right now!! you DID it!! congratulations! 🙂
Vera
Wow! Great blog. Thank you for sharing your struggles and your triumphs so honestly! You’re an inspiration!!
Paula (Adventure Junkie Mom)
Great job girl! You did it! So super proud of you Irongirl!!!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me)
Woohoo! You did it! You did great for your first tri! And, like you said, you can only get better from here! 🙂
Tricia
whooooooooooohoooooooooooo
Patty
Great Job! I volunteered at this race and was so inspired by the ladies! I have a fear of the water and biking fast, but I am working on that. Thanks for your post on the race, it just sealed the deal for 2011!
Barb
Great job facing all your fears and giving yourself positive talks during the race!!
You have caught the triathlon bug!! It is such a great community of people and you are being such a great role model for your children.
My 16yo daughter and 19 yo son (along with my husband and I) all do triathlons together and it is so fun!!
Laura
nicely done!! I vividly remember my first tri and the ‘flulike’ symptoms that swimming brings. It will pass and eventually it won’t happen anymore. AWESOME job!
SideofSneakers.com
Congrats girl!! You rocked it 🙂 That’s a TOUGH course & it was lousy weather, but that didn’t stop you 🙂 I was there but didn’t see you (or recognize you?)- glad you had fun!!!
Stephanie
Congratulations Heather!! I love your race reports – I always look forward to reading them.
Sue Keller
You so totally rock!! I’m so proud of you. Way to face your fears and show them whose boss. Congrats, IronMomma!
Cylia's Workout Blog
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Cylia's Workout Blog
Congrats iron Girl!!! You gave a great recap don’t feel bad mine blog entry was even longer!! Kudos!!! 🙂
Heather
This was a great race report!Congratulations, way to conquer your fear! I’ll have to remember that phrase next time I hear my doubting inner girl and tell her to “Shut it!” Awesome!
Sabrina
i’m so proud of you. i’m bawling at this awesome blog post of yours. i wish i knew you needed a sitter for the boys. i would have driven up there. what a great sister holly is for giving up her spot.
Wifey
Congratulations! And, way to tackle your fear in the water! Super inspiring!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
Julie
great race!! congratulations!! i love your recap of the swim portion! Not something I have the desire to do. Way to go!!
jamie@sweatyhugs
Ahhh! Thank you so much for this post. I just did a “practice” ride for the bike portion (I’m doing the relay this year) and HOLY hills! I made it though…in terrible, horrible, high temps! LOL