RACE DAY

I DID IT...I DID IT...I DID IT!!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!! WOW I can't believe that I have officially completed my first sprint triatholon. My goal is finally met and it is such a good feeling knowing that all of this hard work over the past 6 months has tremendously paid off. I went into this with a couple small goals for myself: run the entire 3 miles (which I did w/ out stopping to walk)and try to finish in 1 hr and 15 minutes. This last goal was not met (finished at 1 hr and 26 minutes-11 minutes off), but I am so proud of myself for facing a new workout challenge(mentally & physically). You never know what you can accomplish until you set higher goals for yourself!!!

Here is a little preview of my day:

Night before the race...I'm stretching out my swim cap and adjusting my goggles.



Check out those guns (ha ha)










Our morning started out very early when the alarm went off at 4:00a.m. telling us to rise & shine. I rolled out of bed (after many times of listening to Aaron try and coax me from the covers...I'm not an early morning person) and headed for the kitchen to start preparing breakfast(my stomach didn't feel empty from dinner let alone trying to cram some more food inside to get me through the race). Aaron and I made it down to the race area by 6:00a.m. so I could get checked in and all situated at the transition area. My heart is racing w/ the feeling of being anxious along w/ my stomach turning from being nervous.

Transition Area - Getting Ready for The Day (Time to grab a time chip, get my race number "168" written on my left arm and my age written on my left calf)







Smile for the Camera Juli


Juli & Carla before the race

Time is ticking and it is close to "start time". Age 18-29 (that's me) find your positions and let the count down begin.


We are off...GO GIRLS GO!














Transition 1 from swim to bike - wetsuit is off (hard part is over..whew)and it is time to change into my bike gear. My heart is pounding from the swim at this moment and it is hard to catch my breath. I managed to only get hit a few times during the swim and now I have to think "hard pushes" on the bike route. GO GO GO!!!






















Transition 2 from bike to run - helmet off (yeah I remembered)and now it's time to eat my first gel pack to regain a little energy. Move legs Move!
















AAAGGGHHH!!! We are on the last home stretch and I can see the finish line. Keep up the pace and full charge ahead to finish strong.

















I DID IT...I DID IT...I DID IT!!!!






What a great feeling



My proud "hubby" saying congrats to me! I couldn't have done this w/out his support & encouragement








GREAT JOB CARLA!!!


















Lori,Johan,Carla,Denise,Paula,Juli & Aaron watching


Thank you so much to all of my family & friends for all of your support & encouragement! I finished in 1 hr 26 minutes at 21st place out of 40 in my division (ages 18-29). There will be pics posted on www.athleticpix.com of everyone competing in the race.