Sunday I competed in the Olympic Distance Triathlon at the Festival of Flowers for Team In Training; and I will say that it is one of the top events of my life. Unbelievably amazing. I am so grateful for the entire experience, from fundraising for an amazing cause to the actual competition. There is way too much to write here about my experience so I will give you just a few highlights.

What it’s All About

We were quickly reminded why we had trained and fundraised for this event while getting our body marked. This interaction started to erase the nervousness I had been building. An Open Triathlete (been doing Tri’s a long time successfully) approached us while we were chatting back and forth about being nervous and confused on what we were to do next. He said “ I just want to thank you for what you have done and what you are doing – I am a survivor.” Well – needless to say we were speechless. And I was personally reminded that this was not about my athletic journey (although I certainly had one) it was about helping those with cancer. I didn’t check the man’s number but I hope he kicked butt in the triathlon!

My Experience:

Waking up at 4:45 in the morning to go swim 1500 meters, bike 24 miles (VERY HILLY!) and then run 6.2 miles is a little daunting to say the least. But we all did it and quickly got very excited. My swim start was at 7:45 AM and I was scared, .94 miles in the water seems an awfully long way when you are at the start line. But I surprised myself! When the swim was almost over I thought to myself “WOW! That was it? I can do this!” I was happy and smiling when I came out of the water. I was excited to complete the rest of the course! I got on my bike and started pedaling. I was a little nervous about all the hills in beautiful Ninety Six, SC, but I just kept pedaling. My average speed came out to be about 17 mph; an awesome rate of pace for me as the hills were long and hard. After brining my bike back to the transition area I began my run. 6.2 miles looks like a long way after swimming and biking but thanks to an awesome coach and team I was prepared for it. I smiled the entire way!

I wish I could explain in words what an amazing experience working with Team in Training has been and actually completing an Olympic Distance Triathlon. But I cannot. I can urge you to try to do the same. Try and Tri with Team In Training, help others while helping yourself – you will be transformed.

Thank you for all your wonderful support! I’m off to train for my next Olympic Distance and ½ Marathon.

I have been trying all day to decide what to write here on my next to last blog for Team In Training…do I write about Ian Lester and his Moma who will be competing with me? Do I write about my cousin Ernie who last his battle with cancer in December? Do I focus on my competition on Sunday and how scared I am? Well, I got the answer while logging onto a website for work. I have to go through my yahoo page to get there. On yahoo the article below was published and a little video was there as well. I cried. I cannot imagine being 15 years old and writing a bucket list, and really needing to mean everything I wrote there. My prayers go out to this girl and her family and she will be on my prayer list for Sunday’s competition. God Bless her and her family.

“Fifteen-year-old Alice Pyne of England started a personal blog on Monday, and in five days has gained 10,000 followers. Why all the attention? Well Alice has Hodgkin's lymphoma and devoted her blog to her bucket list, a compilation of things she hopes to do before she dies. Her list includes traveling to Kenya, swimming with sharks, and meeting her favorite musicians. Celebrities like singer Katy Perry tweeted about Pyne's wishes, helping make the hashtag #alicesbucketlist trend around the world. Pyne's new fans have helped turn her bucket list into reality, like meeting the British band Take That. But Pyne says she's happiest about rallying support for her No. 1 wish of making, "everyone sign up to be a bone marrow donor." To donate, you can go to www.marrow.org.”

Well - 6 days from now I will officially be an Olympic Distance Triathlete. Wow. What a journey this has been!

I have recently been inspired by our Honored Hero Ian Lester's mother - who will be competing with us in this event. She is an amazing woman who has raised a very sweet boy through some very difficult times. I am amazed by their strength. Please keep their family in your prayers.

Prayer List

I like to keep a prayer list for when I run, especially if I don't have music. Many people have inspired me to be apart of Team In Training and I want to make sure I am praying for them frequently. Below is my Run Prayer list - I have not added their names as I know some people would like to remain anonymous, all except my own family member. If you have a name you would like for me to add to this list please let me know. I would be happy to be praying for them as well.

The Bennett Family

The Lester Family

D.A.H. Family

B.M.

R.D. SR.

Be the Match Reminder

Also wanted to send a quick reminder out about the Be the Match Website and program. Click the link in the last sentence to be taken to their website. You could save a life by just donating your blood! It could be as easy as that. Please take a moment to view the website and the program.

Here we are 12 days out to the biggest athletic challenge of my life and I am scared. I can only imagine how scared one must be to go in for their first chemotherapy session….

Click here to be taken to a link to learn about the Festival of Flowers Triathlon.

Sunday I competed in my first full sprint triathlon. What an experience! My first thoughts going into the race were of confidence that I could complete the task – however slowly. Then my teammates were all around me and the sense of camaraderie was overwhelming. I was excited! My husband, David, even got up to come to the race with me after a mere three hours of sleep.

Surprisingly everything changed as soon as I got in the water for the swim portion of the triathlon.

Once the bell rang for us to swim in our heat I totally panicked. It was awful. I could not, would not, put my face in the water. I even thought about quitting. Luckily I am a good swimmer and was resourceful enough to complete the race while doing breaststroke and backstroke. Also my teammate Lesley was behind me the whole way helping me to stay calm. I am forever grateful to her. As soon as I got out of the water all was well again. I ran to my bike (which is my favorite part) and averaged about 18 mph on the 12.3 mile track. My best average speed yet.

Then after dropping my bike off I was able to set off at a slow and steady pace in the run, enjoying the cheers from my family and teammates. While running, I was reminded what it was like to be a part of a team. It was an awesome experience. My teammates ran with me and cheered me on. It is an amazing opportunity to belong with Team In Training. These coaches, mentors and teammates are amazing people. We are not competing with each other we are cheering each other on. I am truly blessed to know these people.

Despite my swim I am so grateful to have been healthy enough and strong enough to compete. I am forever changed by my experience with Team In Training. I am a Triathlete.