The Salem Triathlon.....My firstTriathlon

Another racing post (I know...do I think about anything else?). I do, but not lately! As I was getting into doing marathons, my wife was busy doing triathlons. Yes, she is amazing and strong and inspires me. She is getting better and better and I think one day she will beat me for sure!

Last year, Abi did the Salem Triathlon and I brought our kids up and supported her. The atmosphere, the landscape and the feeling in the air at a race is what I live for. It's funny how you start to get into different sports. I got into running b/c of my sis Chelle. I got into biking b/c of my Dad and bro-in-law Steve (who have been slowly working on me for years to buy a bike). And I got into swimming b/c of Abi (since she swam and dove her whole life). Put them all together and all of the sudden, you are an aspiring triathlete! Abi convinced me to sign up for the Salem Tri this year. I will never be the same!!

NOTE: if at any time you think to yourself "hey, this tri thing sounds like fun....I want to do this"...please be aware that I am putting a disclaimer on the monetary strain it will put on your life!! It is expensive to get into initially....and there is a maintenance cost with racing and keeping equipment and gear in good working condition!!

So here are a few pics.....

Abi and I both finished the swim in 14:23.....actually, Abi beat me on the swim by .12 seconds. She has much better form than I do!!! I actually am thinking in my head "what just happened....did I just drown? what am I supposed to do now...oh, ya, bike..." I ended up having to sprint down to make my heat b/c of a wetsuit malfunction and then I started out totally winded!

I was so happy to get on my bike after the swim...Abi didn't have as good a time since she got two flats and tacked on 25 minutes changing tires. She is such an athlete though and just jumped back on the bike and finished.

I got to run in with Abi after I had finished, since her heat started later than mine...I brought the kiddos along to run in with Mom! Over all, it was a great experience and I am a tri guy for life. I ended up finishing at 1:15:36 and I was happy. Abi came in at 1:47:27 on the race clock....but if you conservatively take off 24 minutes for her flat tires, she would have come in at more like 1:22:27.....like I said, she is going to give me a run for my money next year!!

I love triathlons. Ultimately, I want to do an Ironman.....but next year, I'll start out with a few Olympic distance triathlons, throw in a couple of Centuries on the bike and LOTOJA....a few half marathons, maybe a full marathon, who knows.....to many great races to choose from!!