Legacy Duathlon

Saturday I had the opportunity to do my first ever Duathlon. My cousin, Timalee, had registered for the short course then found out she could get a free registration, so she transferred her original registration over to my name. So I just traded a haircut for it (I love my job for that reason). The short course was run 1.5 miles, bike 20 miles, and then run 1.5 miles again. Nothing big. But I thought it would be fun to go participate in.

 

The morning of it was really cold and super windy. So waiting for the race to start was rough. I arrived there around 7;30 to set up my transition area, then waited around with Timalee, her hubby Rolynn and their friend Ryan and his wife Sarah. When the race started at 9am they were letting people one at a time go ever 15 seconds. Being in the short course I was closer to the back of the line, so I didn't get started until about 9:45.

 

When I started I just had it in my head to do the best that I could do. And to enjoy the opportunity to race.

 

Along the course they had some photographers. Which I was grateful to because I didn't think to take any pictures. And it would obviously be tough taking pictures while I was racing anyway. haha.

 

The first run was great. It felt good to finally get going. I was keeping a 7:20min pace. Then when I got back to the transition I transferred into my bike shoes, helmet and adjusted my GPS watch to biking setting.

 

It felt awesome being on my bike. This was pretty much the first time really riding this season. Since the wind was blowing north and I was was riding north it gave me a nice little push. But once I hit the turn around point I had to go against the wind. Then I wasn't loving the wind so much. My quads were toasty. But I kept pushing and kept a steady pace.

 



 After 12 miles I returned back to the Transition Point and got back into running mode. This was a weird feeling going from biking motion into running. My legs felt like wet noodles and almost like they didn't know what to do. So my pace at first was a bit slower than the first run. But after a few minutes I was able so pick it back up and get to the 7:20 pace. My left IT Band was feeling a little bit tight along with my right shin... but it wasn't enough to slow me down.

This picture is right before I went across the finish line.

 I finished with a time of 1:04:13. I had no clue if that was a good time or not. But I didn't really care. I had to hurry off to work. My first client was at 11:30 and it was about 10:50 when I finished the race. So by the time I loaded up my bike and gear I left around 11. I rushed home with no time to shower and changed my clothes. So yes I went to work with my numbers written on my arms and legs, looking kinda grungy.

I get to work and about a half hour later I noticed I had missed a call from Timalee. She left me a voicemail telling me that I took 3rd place in my age division. And since I wasn't there she had to go up on the podium for me (she's the one on the right).

On her way home from the race, Timalee stopped by the salon and she brought me my medal.

If you can imagine I was on a total giddy high. I couldn't believe that I had placed at the very first Duathlon I'd ever raced in. I went out to do my best and the fact that I placed just excited me.

I later found out that in all the women that raced in the short course I was 5th over all. A total of 44 women raced and I was number 5?  Seriously?

I then get a text from Timalee telling me that Top Gear wants me to be on their Tri Team. Could this be happening? I felt like a little school girl all giddy with excitement.

Being on the team will give me the opportinity to do the triathons through out this coming summer. This is going to give me some awesome goals to strife for and chances to grow. I'm totally stoked! (I'm going to have to really work on my swimming skills)

When I got home from work that night, Ryker saw my medal and asked if I won the race? I said yes (sort of) and he was so happy for me. He kept telling me how proud he was of me. What support. I love that he's so enthusiastic.

I'll post more about the Tri Team when I learn more of what it all entails. But for now I'm just really excited and wanted to share.

Taking advantage of the days off

This last week Jesse had Monday through Thursday off. So we decided it would be fun to take the boys to the Dinosaur Museum. I  love that we get to do this now. Taking time to be together during the day. Ryker doesn't have preschool on Tuesdays so we thought that would be the perfect day to go.

 

We drove separately to Jesse's school. We left his truck there so that Jesse could go to school right after the museum.

 

I had never been to the museum and I was pleasantly surprised how good of a museum it is. 

 They had a sandy area with water and little dinosaurs where the kids could build up the sand to make islands or barges.

 I was happy to see that they provided waterproof aprons for the kids.

 The skeletons were really fascinating. The thought of these huge creatures roaming the earth is pretty dang cool. I've always wondered if they were around before Adam and Eve were put in the Garden of Eden? I'll add that to the list of questions I have when I get to the other side.

 Sometimes... this kiddo just cracks me up. Look at this cheesy pose. He's just hilarious.

 Another cool thing that they had were these huge magnetic puzzles. Since Ryker loves puzzles he just had the greatest time. I am always impressed with his puzzle skills.

 Like always, Cy wants to be doing what Ryker is doing. I really like this picture.

 Another hands on exhibit was a sand pit with dinosaur bones to be uncovered. They had brushes they could use to brush away the sand to discover the bones. If we would have let them, these two boys would have been in there all day.

 Jesse and I sitting back and watching the boys. I love, love, love that we could spend the day together. This man makes me so happy. I don't know where I'd be without him. He truly is my other half and we make a great team.

After the museum we went to Wendy's to get a late lunch and then had to take Jesse to school. It'll be nice when school will be over so that we can have him for the entire day of his day off. But for now we will take what we can get.