One Year Anniversary/Halloween

This week marks my one year anniversary with Breakaway Training! I have learned so much this past year, and I am excited to see what this year will bring triathlon wise. I did my first triathlon 3 summers ago in New Jersey. A friend from home told me that she signed me up while I was studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico. I knew that even though I hadn't swam for a year, I'd be able to swim ~500 meters. I thought "whatever" with biking, I didn't think it would be too bad because I'd be sitting. The run scared me a bit, but I knew that I could run/walk a 5k. I ended up doing this tri with Suzanne and Kaitlyn - literally. I waited for them to finish the swim, and then we left T1 together. They waited...5 minutes.... for me to finally roll in after a 12 mile bike and then their threats that if I walked during the run got me to the finish line. It is so funny how a couple of years ago I thought I was Miss Thang just finishing that race and now sprint distance races are not easy, but a lot less intimidating!!

Triathlons became an interest to me...but I had no idea what to do about it! Liz and I did Mission Bay (in home made tyedye shirts, bikinis, and with mountain bikes) and we decided that we eventually wanted to do a longer race! I asked Chris (who I went to high school with) and he set us up with a meeting with Felipe. Once joining Breakaway, I received whirlwind of progress and knowledge.

Here are the top 3 that I learned that are quite embarrassing admitting:

1. There are gears on bikes, you can change them. I learned this while doing Torrey Pines hill repeats. We were supposed to go up in the easiest gear on evens....I didn't know that you weren't supposed to stay in the easiest gear on the decent.

2. "Everyone" runs in tech tees and bikes in jerseys. Apparently, running in cotton shirts is not cute..and biking hill repeats in a sweatshirt is even not cuter.

3. When swimming in open water, you have to sight. I'm used to hours and hours of staring at a straight black line, not having to look up every 4 strokes to see where I'm going. Thankfully, Kathy and Joe took the time to teach me and explain that I can't do power 10s without sighting in the water.

This year, I've accomplished more than I ever thought I would do in a lifetime. I went from run/walking a 5k to multiple half marathons to SD Rock n Roll Marathon. I went from doing sprint triathlons with friends because I was scared I wouldn't know the course to Olympic distance events and 2 half Ironman races. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and given me advice- I appreciate all of it and put it to good use! Thank you to Lipe to answering my many, many questions - most of which were probably extremely basic! Most of all, thank you to maaa and paaa - for all the support, helping with the race entries & gear!! :)

Now on to my second topic of this post: Halloween. After today's workout, 12 miles on Fiesta Island - I realized again why I choose not to drink (often). Running with a hangover BLOWS, so I think I will stick to my grandma status and watch Forensic Files instead of going out - I'm sure it will make my runs MUCH more enjoyable!

Instead of being something cute for Halloween like most girls; Matt, Liz and I decided to be Teletubbys. Matt was Laa-Laa, Liz was Dipsy, and I was Tinky Winky. P.S. - Truth, I hope this color is easier on your eyes than the purple !!

P.P.S. - I can't believe I forgot to mention this in my Soma race report, but as I was crossing the finish line, Lady Gaga was playing!!!! How cool is that?! <3