I can officially say I am an Iron Girl.....What an experience, to be surrounded by over 1,000 other women competing in this race......And not an easy one by any means....600 meter swim (just shy of a half mile), 18 mile bike, and a 5K (3.1mile) run....I was encouraged by so many of the participants (oldest one being in her 70's), and the people there cheering on loved ones and friends.....Never once during the race did I ever feel discouraged....the camaraderie between participants was incredible...If someone was passing you on the bike course, they had words of encouragement.....on the running course, it was "you got this', "you can do it", "your almost there".....That's what made this race so special......
What was even better that all of that was this one Iron Girl...We were all waiting to get back into the transition area to pick up our bikes and hit the road home....news traveled fast that we were waiting because there was still one more girl on the bike course....we all waited patiently for her to get back into the transition area...and when she did, the women waiting were all cheering her on....she could have thrown in the towel and just quit there....(she was probably 30-45 minutes behind the last person on the course).....but she got off her bike, and started her run...there were no words for what I felt at that moment to see this woman continue on with the cheers from her fellow peers...it was one of those goose bump moments....I later found out that when she finished the race, her mother was there to give her her medal....what a great moment...and what a great inspiration to everyone!!!....
So many times in life we quit when things get hard, or difficult...but now I'm going to take a page from her book....just keep pressing forward...you might not have the fastest time, or be the best....But be the BEST YOU!!!!
Special thanks to my Husband...who has shown unconditional love and support throughout my entire training.....my friends Harry and Jess for coming to cheer me on!!..And my family..while I know you couldn't be there physically, you were there in spirit!!
My goal was to finish the race in 2 hours and 30 minutes.... My official time was 2:29:02...I was very proud of my accomplishment!
Swim - 15:51
Transition 1- 6:03
Bike - 1:21:16
Transition 2- 3:16
Run - 42:36
Total - 2:29:02
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| On our way to the beach (5:30 am)...... |
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| Leon and I before I start my Swim! |
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| Finishing my 600M swim....there was a lot of seaweed in that lake! |
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| Starting my 18 Mile bike ride..... |
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| Finished my biking portion, and posing for the camera before my run! |
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| I finished....Me and Leon after the race! |
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| My Cheering Squad!! Thanks for your Support! |
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| My Medal! |
Great, great post =) Reliving it through your eyes made it even more special! I enjoyed being a cheerer, especially for you!! Congratulations on a job VERY WELL DONE! Until the next one ... xoxox
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