triathlons, am i crazy?! think so.

Last weekend I participated in my first triathalon! It was really fun! A few months back I won the registration for this race at the tri training meeting. I was super nervous because it was my first one and I was doing it alone. I almost backed out last minute. My mom and dad were out of town at my dad's high school reunion, but Jimmy (best little brother I could ask for!) came with me to support me. You see, Jimmy usually arises at around noonish (I think). The tri started at 7am. We have to be there 1 1/2 hours early-5:30 am. It was in Morgan Hill, an hour drive away-4:30 am. ahhhhh so early! I woke up at 4am, got ready, woke Jimmy up at 4:25 and me, him, and Butters headed out!

Butters

Me

Jimmy

Butters and I at the transition area before the race

Getting ready to go in! It was freeeezing!

I had to pee the whole race because the trio coaches said to pee in the water. Of course I had to pee right before the race. The line to the porta potties (however you spell that) was super long. So, I decided to try and go in the lake water like everyone else. Well, it's harder than it seems! I got in about 10 minutes early to warm up and to my dismay, couldn't go! I was so frustrated! haha, I was nervous and cold--not a good combo I guess! I knew this would be the only chance to go unless I wanted to waste time during one of my transitions, which I ended up not wanting to do.

Here's me emerging from the water! Once I got warmed up it was a really great swim--3/4 miles! I was pleasantly suprised to get out of the water and have 3 people from Club Sport cheering me on along with Jimmy and Butters.

Running from the transition area to the bike part!

Trying to hook my feet into the pedals...

....still trying...

...got it!

Coming back from the bike ride...16 miles later and on to the run portion!

It felt really weird to run. I still had to pee so all I could think about was finish this as soon as you can, then you get to pee! haha...I finished the 5 miles in 35 minutes! I was suprised when I looked down at my GPS watch at one point and saw I was going a 6:13 pace! I was booking it!

So here's me back at the transition area with my medal! Jimmy and Butters were preoccupied with something else when I came into the finish line! ;-) I searched for him (after running straight to the bathroom) for 15 minutes then found him at the finish line waiting for me. Oh Jimmy! Good thing I'm doing another triathalon in a few weeks!

Jimmy, Butters and I walked around...ate free samples, burritos, pasta, fruit, bagels, beer...uh I mean, water! ;-) Who wants to drink beer right after a workout like that?! Weird. I guess I don't understand b/c I don't drink.

Anyway, I was pleasantly suprised to see the results. The posted the top 25 in your age and gender category. I was number 7 in mine finishing in 1:57:10.6. I finished 45th overall (women).

You can see all the result here:

Race Results

I'm really excited for the next triathlon! It's an olympic distance so it's a bit longer. Now I know what I can do better next time...like uses the bathroom first! haha =)

vegas baby!

I was able to go to Vegas with Ale, Candice, and Carli! We stayed at a super nice new hotel called Aria! It smelled like coconut and vanilla (not the usual cigarette smoke that's in Vegas hotels). It was right on the strip. We were really excited as you can see. =)

This is all our stuff being carted from the car! haha...about half of those bags are shoes.

We had time to walk around, see the sights...

...but the most fun was DANCING! =)

We made money at the night club in our hotel! Dollar bills just came down from the ceiling! I made 19 dollars! woohoo! Then we had a visit from Iyaaz! Don't you know who he is??! Nobody does. I didn't until this night. ;-) But it was awesome and his songs became the them music for our trip. He touched me and Candice's hands.

Pretending to be celebrities

Drinking virgin drinks! ;-)

After all the walking around and dancing we valued the bathtub to soak our feet and also relaxing at the pool! It was amazing!

I had such a fun weekend and didn't want it to end! I was pooped the next day for school but my friend commented on how I looked refreshed. It was a well deserved and much needed vacation. I can't wait for the next one!

my mom is the BESTTTT!

That's right...the BESTTTT (with 4 T's) She has always, always been there for me when I needed her. She is always willing to help, to listen, to give advice...to give me her upgrade on her phone so I can selfishly get an i-phone (double love you!) =) She is one of the most selfless people I know. I hope I can learn to be more like her so that when I'm a mom I can be the same with my children. She has a very unique way of showing love to us through her service. A lot of times we don't even have to ask for her help, she just helps.

She is not only selfless and charitable, but also a lot of fun! I absolutely love playing games with her! She is always making us laugh. My favorite was in San Diego when she tried to draw some girls scandalous swimsuit so she could show Cory and my dad what it looked like! haha

Anyway, I hope you have a great mother's day mom!!! Know that you are very loved and appreciated by all your children and so many more people!!!

LOVE YOU!

love,
your favorite daughter ;-)
(just kidding Stacy...)

Here are some beautiful pictures of her and her beautiful crazy family =)