Cascade Tri - Cascade, Idaho

On Saturday I did a small Inaugural Sprint at Cascade Lake in Idaho with my husbands family.  It was just a 'fun' triathlon for me since my Dr. won't let my heart rate go above 150.  It was an absolutely gorgeous place & so fun to campout right on the lake for a few days.  The swim was extremely choppy (of course ONLY during the swim portion) but I didn't think it was bad compare to when Utah Lake gets choppy.  Then because my HR monitor kept beeping at me I had to go extremely slow on the bike and run.  I don't think I've ever had so many pass me in my life--so I just had to concentrate on the view and my breathing to get my HR lower.  I felt amazing on the run (probably because I had to go slow on the bike ;)), unfortunately I again had to walk up the hills because my HR was too high.  So in all it was a fun easy workout, and I did it 4 minutes slower than my very first triathlon--which was quite a humbling experience.  I think I needed a sign explaining why I was so slow--definitely a different triathlon experience for me--but it was still fun.  Because it was such a small tri (only 60 athletes) I still got 1st in my age group--haha.  Here's a post race pic with the family--everyone got a finishers medal & a water bottle belt...and the race was only $40!

You win some and...

Well, I don't actually ever WIN, but I did my first open water tri last weekend and, unfortunately, was accompanied by a nasty cold (highly NOT recommended!) so this one would fall under the "you lose some" category. My time was embarrassing and I had no energy or strength the entire time! Boooo!

Start your engines, ladies!
Deena and I missed our wave because my wetsuit wouldn't zip. Boooo!


Once I was finally suited up I ran into the water and started swimming for my life to get ahead of the next wave of paranas speeding towards me. After launching my cough drop that I forgot to spit out, I totally panicked and was so worried about everyone around me that I didn't focus on my breathing or my stroke and I completely flopped the swim. Boooo!


Isn't it beautiful though?! I love my mountains :)

When I got out of the water I felt like crawling right back into bed (or any nearby hole would have sufficed). I could barely stand on my two feet! And to make matters worse...remember that wetsuit that I couldn't get on? Well, it didn't want to come OFF either!! Boooo!


Getting on my good ole bike was like a breath of fresh air. It was probably the best part of the race. I love the bike leg. It was a beautiful ride along the lake and I tried not to push myself too hard. Yaayyy!


The run was quite comical, actually. It felt like a marathon! I walked about half the time (Booooo!) but in the end had a pretty strong finish (haha! Maybe because it was downhill!).


I loved being there with my girls. You were all such a great support. It's was fun to see you along the course and cheer for each other :) Nice job on your times too! I am so impressed with all of you!!


This was definitely a learning experience for me and, in spite of feeling awful and almost hacking up a lung along the way, I tried to stay positive and make the best of a yucky situation. Overall, it was a fun race and I look forward to doing it again next year...great venue!

Now I'm feeling good and looking forward to redeeming myself this Saturday in my next race (Provo). The swim is the longest I've done in open water, so hopefully I survive!
Until then...happy trails!

Salem Spring Tri

This was the very first triathlon I ever did that wasn't a relay, and I loved it. I loved it then and I still love it. What a fun course. Travis does an awesome job putting this race on every year. We had perfect weather, a great course, smooth water, nice shirts ( oh yeah, they gave us 2), and fun award medals. I'm so glad I got to do it at the last minute.