I am a Triathlete!

After 4 months of training and endless hours of stressing, I completed the Upper Dublin Sprint Triathlon last Sunday in 1:45! My goal was to complete it in under two hours, and there were definitely moments (like during the 6 major bike hills and the entire 5k run) when I didn't know if I would make my goal, but I did! I crossed the finish line in tears and out of breath, but with a smile on my face because I accomplished this goal I set out to do so many months ago. Actually, it was about 5 years ago when I wrote "complete a triathlon" on my bucket list. I am so proud to say that it is another thing I can check off my "Before 31" list!

The day was beautiful. It was in the 60's and 70's and it was a pool swim. I started number 108/325 so I knew I wouldn't be the last to finish. The town was beautiful with big houses, oak tress and manicured lawns. There were over 100 volunteers in orange t-shirts guiding us and cheering us on. I wore my "Don't Worry Be Happy shirt" in honor of all those in my life who fight and conquer cancer (http://www.dwbhshirts.com/ - Crystal Hofmann). Of course everyone else just thought I was encouraging them to be happy. Well...I was! Haha! Every time the road got hard, I just kept saying over and over again, "I am a triathlete". There were moments of tears, happy tears, that I was accomplishing this feat. There were also moments of pleading prayer with God (mostly during the run when my shins were aching) to heal my body and give me strength. There is a major thing I've learned through all this training: no matter how hard I work out, I will always survive in the end and if I don't accomplish what I set out to, I'll be upset at myself.

I want to encourage everyone to pick a goal or an accomplishment and make it happen. Devote some time to yourself, your life, your adventure, and write your own story. I am still living the high and am so thankful to those who supported, encouraged and challenged me throughout the adventure. I can't wait until the next one!

Also, today, Charlotte is undergoing some serious teeth reconstruction surgery, so I just ask for prayers for her healing.

Live the Dream!