Triathlon Mom

I can cross another one off of my BUCKET LIST and enjoy the benefits of losing 50+ lbs (and doing all I can to keep it off). Today I completed The Saguaroman Triathlon. It was awesome. It was an Olympic Distance (1500 m swim in Saguaro Lake, 30 mile road bike & 5.5 mile trail run).
Setting up my bike the morning of.

Waiting for shuttle to take me to Keyhole to start the swim. I was most nervous about the swim and knew if I could finish swimming a mile in a lake, I would be o.k. The swim was definately the most difficult part of the triathlon for me!!! I am definately not a natural in the water and a mile felt like forever. The transition to the bike was at Butcher Jones cove.

The bike is definately my strong point. I could bike forever and really enjoy it. Lucky for the me, the ride portion is where I try to ride weekly, so I knew the course well.
This is the view on the way to Saguaro Lake from our house (about 18 miles away). As soon as you head into Usary Recreation area, it becomes brutally desolate in the Tonto National Forest, but beautiful at the same time. I love living so close to lots of boating, biking and trail running (and warm enough most of the time to enjoy it!!) It was 95 degrees today ~ April 26.

The run portion of the race was brutal. They should of called it a trail hike not run. It was rocky and steep. At the beginning, most of the people around me had to walk because it was just too steep to run. I think this worked out to my advantage. I can keep up with hikers, but probably not running on the flats (just ask my 1/2 marathon friends). Hayden thought it was pretty cool because we ran through a tunnel under the road ~ I was grateful we didn't have to run up the road!!!
Racing to the finish.
Even the last leg to the finish was steep, but I didn't finish last by any means, so mission accomplished!!! It feels so good to have finished a 1/2 marathon (London's run in February) and an Olympic Distance Triathlon. Two things I have wanted to do for a long time. What will I think of next to test myself???? Any suggestions?????