This ain't no kids game!

Well today was the big day for me. Des News 10k is....done.  I spent the last 8 weeks tyring to trick my legs  into running, and I think they are finally catching on.  For me, the worst part of running is having to wake up early, especially on race days. Anything before 6am is early, and I'm not a "before 6am" morning person. 

RAD gave me a wake up call, and even a ride to the event. (Thank you)  I think you can hire her for wake up calls/event transportation for a small fee, or maybe just a smile. :) Since I wasn't smiling much at 5am,  I might owe her some money.

I was happy that my teenage son decided to run the 10k with us too. This was his first 10k, and hopefully not his last. It was fun to meet some new people.  I met Carolyn in Colorado, just as pleasant and friendly in real life as on the blog. I met Cat, briefly, as she ran by me on her way down the hill. I also met Allie, who wasn't running, but I hear she is a speedy gal. 

I felt good about the run. Got a text from Quiet Pirate at mile one, I was surprised at my newfound ability to run and text at the same time. QP couldn't join us today, but she got a chuckle out of the pix we sent her with the Quiet Pirate signs on our backs. Going downhill, I felt good enough to talk to a lot of people along the way, and it felt even better to be able to pass them, even if slowly. The last 1/2 mile up to the finish line was hard. I was already tired and it took everything for me to sprint.  It was nice to see RAD and CIC waiting to run with me into the finish line. I guess my teenage son was too cool to run with me to the finish line. Somehow, that kid beat me, without even practicing at all for the 10k....that seems so unfair. 

After I got a drink and caught my breath, I went out to meet my other family members that werer running the 5k. I was proud to see my teenage daughter running, and not walking. I ran with her into the finish line. After she stopped she released her balloon into the sky, as a sign of victory. I went back and found my youngest running, neck to neck, alongside his cousin. My husband couldn't keep up with the 2 boys as they sprinted to the finish line, and he finished a short time later. Regardless of his finish time, my husband liked hearing me call him my "5k althlete" all morning.  I walked back into the 5k runners one last time to find Grandma and the baby stroller. She may be 25 years older than me , but she can still walk faster than me. We took a few family pictures once everyone was done. Wow- What a fun morning. Heading to a BBQ and fireworks this evening. Reminds me of the song by One Republic, "This has got to be the good life..."  :) 

Bike and swim.

I tried to do a practice ride for Blackridge Tri on Saturday. Those hills are tough and my legs were still tired from the Des News downhill 10k, so I didn't fnish the route. Went to the glamour gym for a swim afterwards with RAD. My legs enjoyed the swim  a lot more than the bike ride.   

After burning out my legs yesterday, I promised myself I wasn't going to ride a bike today. Well, my husband had the car, out shopping for a birthday present for my son, and I had no way to the pool but my bike.  I ate my words, hopped on the bike and went to the pool. 

My husband told me he missed hearing me call him "my 5k althlete", the title he earned after he ran the Des News 5k run on Monday. I tired to think of a special new name for him today. He said that "super laundry helper" didn't have the same appeal for him. I guess I need to be a bit more creative. 

5k hike. I enjoy hiking so much more than running or biking.  

A beautiful sunrise followed by a a morning full of swimming, biking and running. It doesn't get much better than this. 

The swim was fun. My AG was the last to start, but it was still plenty crowded in the water. I don't like crowds. After everyone was in the water and I could see, things got better and I had a good swim.  I  didn't have a wet suit on, but for only 15 minutes in the water, I didn't feel like I needed one. I was happy to see RAD for about 10 seconds at the transition area. I knew that would most likely be the last time I saw her for the day, she is so fast on the bike and run. As I was in the transition area, I didn't do the best job getting all the sand off my feet because I felt pieces of sand in my shoes and between my toes the rest of the race. 

I was worried about the bike ride because there were a lot of hills. l had to cheat in one part, where there was a steep hill, and get off and walk my bike up the hill. Once I made it to the copper mine road, I was so relieved and the rest of the ride was nearly all downhill. I have never rode my bike so fast. My whole bike was shaking, it was scary. When I got to a level road I found a buddy, and we rode side by side on our bikes for several miles chatting. It made the time go by fast. I was ready to get off my bike by the end of the bike ride. 

The run wasn't too bad, I was just tired by then. I was really happy to see the water stations, and stopped at each one for a drink. My favorite part of the whole race was towards the end, on a downhill trail, when I could see the whole wasatch mountain range ahead of me. It was so beautiful and peacefull. I just stared at the  mountains and let my mind wander. Somehow, my feet knew to just keep running.  I decided to sprint at the end and I passed this girl who was ahead of me the whole run. Yeah.  

A nice visit at the fnish line. Thanks to Brent for telling us about the Tri and suggesting we register. It was heaps of fun. I'm glad RAD and Becca decided to register too, it  was encouraging to see a familiar face along the race route. I wasn't fast enough to catch up with them, but it was fun to see them passing by in the opposite direction. I also appreciated my husband and 7 year old who showed up to cheer me on. My finish time was a few minutes faster than I thought it would be.  When they were handing out awards at the end, I was surprised to hear my name. I was so excited, I got 3rd in my AG. I have never won anything at a race before and proudly ran up to the stage to claim my award.  The perks of being in an older age group! 

I'm looking forward to doing this Tri again next year.