1 hour 33 minutes....

That is how long it took me to complete my first sprint triathlon. Race day is such a blur. Almost 16 months ago to the day I started my weight loss journey. I have lost so much weight but gained so much life. I still want to fast forward off this last 50+ pounds, I still didn't feel like I felt in wearing a bathing suit and spandex but I did it. I am proud.
The day started off with thunderstorms. We had no idea if they would even run it but headed up anyway. I was scared and kept hydrating. The day before I had thrown up from coughing too hard and was living off of halls.(I still am) Once I saw the water I wanted to cry. It was so rough from the storms. I just kept thinking there was no way I could swim that. The water was so bad they moved the buoys closer to the shore for safety. I racked my bike and and set up my little area. The start of the swim was chaos. We started in 3 waves and I was in the last one. By the time I came out of the water my heart could barely stay in my chest and instead of throwing on my cycling shoes and going I sat down on my towel. I just needed to get my bearings. I hurried up and slid in my spandex knickers, put on my cycling shoes and mounted up.
The cycling portion was rolling hills of 9.25 miles. It flew by. I passed about 20 people. I knew I would do well on this because it is my strongest event. I clipped along between 16 and 20 miles per hour and took in my GU about 4 miles in. Then it was time to get off my lovely bike and start the run. This was horrible. The sun came out and the breeze died down. I struggled for the first mile trying to find a good stride and I finally decided to walk. I walked quickly and broke down in tears. I was cramping, my lungs hurt and I was just plain tired. Despite my best effort to hydrate I forgot to drink on my bike and my hands were swelling. I stopped at the water station and saw another racer coming up behind me. We walked the last mile together talking about our girls and why we were doing this. It helped and I was thrilled to see the finish line.
I want to lose the rest of this weight now more than ever. I don't want to lug around this extra as I am trying to be active and healthy. I am sick of my ass not shrinking and of my flabby arms. I thought a year and I would be done..now I am thinking it will take 2. I am not in a hurry but I really want my outside to match my fitness level.
Overall I learned two things:
I can do anything I set my mind to.
Head to toe spandex is not flattering...at all.

300 swim, 9.25 bike, 5k run 1hr 33min
Jeramy's time 1hr 1min