Race Day!

As fun as the triathlon was, I am glad we are finished. There was a lot of anxiety going into it, and it was a tough race. We got up at 3:45 am and met with 3 other couples. After securing our bikes onto the vehicles, we drove to Payson where the triathlon would take place. We pulled in around 6:00 am, unloaded our stuff, and pumped up our tires. By the time we made it to the registration table to get our bib numbers and timing chip, it was getting close to race time. We found out that Chelsea and our neightbor Nicole were both in the first heat starting at 7:00 am. They still needed to change into their swim suits and almost didn't make it in time. Charlie, and 3 others from our group were in the 2nd heat starting as soon as everyone from the first was out of the water. The timing chip went around our ankles and there were sensors that marked the time it took for each event. After leaving the pool, we had to run to where the bikes were parked, dry off, get shoes, socks and helmets on and speed down a small hill toward an 8 mile loop. The bike portion was done while traffic was directed at stop signs allowing us to go through with out stopping. When we signed up for the triathlon, we were told there would be one large up hill and one large down hill. What they failed to mention was that the rest of the bike course would have medium sized hills nearly the entire way. The second time around the loop was much eaiser than the first, because we were a little more prepared for the long series of hills and knew a little better when the turns would be coming. The bike portion finished at the same place it started. The run was mostly on level ground (which was a nice, I don't think I could have made it through any more hills after the bike). It was just over 3 miles, overlapping a little with the bike course and cutting through a few neighborhoods. As I crossed the finish line, I saw Chelsea walking towards me quickly, having just finished herself. I was a great feeling to be done. We look foward to doing another race in the fall.

Chelsea did very well, finishing under 2 hours with a total time of 1:55. Her swim took 11 minutes 23 seconds, the bike 1 hour and 10 minutes, and the run 34 minutes.

Charlie had a goal of finishing under 1 hour and 30 minutes. I am glad that I sprinted at to the finish line. My total time was 1 hour 29 minutes and 55 seconds. Swim- 11 minutes and 2 seconds, bike- 54 minutes, and run- 24 minutes.