Dear Trifuelers, I know I should post a race report in the RR section, but since I spent all my free time over the last 6 months in the Newbie forum, I guess I'll just post it here. I did my first tri on August 3rd, the Sherox in Philadelphia, and had simply the best experience ever! Who knew that was going to be so much fun? I trained and trained since January, bought 2 triathlon books, and spent may hours reading advice on this forum to prepare.

Like most people new to this sport, I expected triathletes to be, well, not very friendly to newbies and perhaps even a little arrogant, given all they have accomplished. I was just blown away by the warm welcome I received, not to mention the encouragement and support. Everyone was eager to answer even the most basic questions and far from being boastful, I found the members of this forum to be self-deprecating and humble about their accomplishments. Not to mention, you are a fairly comedic crew, which I enjoyed a great deal! (the posts on hair removal alone are worth rereading just for a chuckle). You have no idea how much you all helped me in this process.

A little background: I am a 39yr old suburban housewife from NJ with four gorgeous kids. I have always wanted to do a triathlon. It sounded outrageous, but I think that's kinda what made me want to do it. I was a gymnast in high school and I have run for fun and fitness since college, but I have never considered myself a jock and I felt intimidated entering a sport that would be populated with people who have probably been athletes their whole lives. I decided to go for it anyway.

A month into my training, every muscle in my body hurt! I didn't even know I had some of those muscles! Even though I could easily run a 5k, I could barely swim 4 laps in the pool and 3 miles on the bike made my legs feel like they were going to fall off. My original plan was to do a sprint triathlon in the end of May and I was training hard with that goal in mind.

Sadly, my plans were derailed by tragedy. In the end of April, my husband (and best friend) became very ill and was hospitalized for two weeks. Things looked very bleak as they tested him for everything under the sun and feared that what he had was terminal. It was the longest two weeks of my life and the triathlon faded far into the background. Eventually, my husband was diagnosed with viral encephalitis and made a complete recovery, thank God! (that is a very short version of a very long story!)

During this time, the May triathlon came and went. It was not until I was sure my husband was well that I started to think about it again. I did not want to miss the triathlon experience this summer. I went online and registered for the Sherox Sprint in August...and started training all. over. again.

The day before the race, I made a classic newbie move. I had been training for months on the only bike I had, a beat up, 15yr old mountain bike. While picking up my race packet, I spoke to a bunch of other women doing the race who all thought it was "really sweet" that I would be racing on a mountain bike, and I am sure they all immediately imagined passing me during the race. I went home and said to my husband (less than 16 hours before the race), "um, honey? Can I go buy a bike?"

Here is why this man is my best friend. He threw all four kids in the car and took me out to buy a new bike AND watched all my rambunctious little monsters in the sporting goods store while the sales guy fitted me for the bike and showed me how to change a tire. He's a saint. (they still managed to knock over an entire display of wet suits and tried to "ride" a $9000 racing bike. yikes!)

I rode exactly one mile on my new bike before putting it in the trunk of my car for the race. Yes. I am SUCH a newbie!

Race day was absolutely gorgeous. 86 degrees and balmy. The water was about 78 degrees. It felt like bath water. The swim (1/2 mile) felt amazing. I could have kept going. I read so much on this site about open water swims and the panic and possible craziness off it all. I was fine. I actually wish I had started at the front of the group because I ended up being a little faster than I thought (who knew?) and can I just say...it is HARD to pass someone in the water! On the bike or the run, no problem. But swimming around another person is taxing. I never dreamed I would be passing anyone, so it was a shock and really slowed me down having to navigate around so many swimmers. Next time...out in front!

The bike portion was a pleasure. And wouldn't it be for anyone riding a brand new road bike after slogging around for several months on a mountain bike? I felt like I was flying. Special thanks goes to Creek Rd near my house. This road and its 6 semi steep hills kicked my butt for weeks. The race route was fast and flat and felt darn easy by comparison.

At the run, I had the pleasure of high-fiving all four of my kids and getting a quick smooch from my (healthy!) husband as I headed out of transition. They made a huge GO MOM! sign to cheer me on. The run felt long and hot compared to the other legs of the race. I managed to sprint across the finish line on pure adrenaline. I finished at 1:55:10, just under my 2 hour goal and I think I was smiling the entire time!

What an incredible experience! I am hooked! Thanks to this forum, there were no surprises or panicked moments. I felt prepared and was able just to enjoy each great moment. Next year, an olympic? It's a sure bet I'll have some questions along the way! And hmmm...I guess I'll have to change my usename. It's not Toni's first tri anymore!

Thanks everyone!