Flyin' High: My first triathlon

For those who know me very well, you should know that Rachel can be very random at times. She will bake cookies at 3am in the morning, run at 11pm at night, get her navel pierced on her way home from work and even something like: registering for a triathlon...

On the 13th of September, I have attended a triathlon with a brave heart at Big Creek State Park. I told myself that it is not about the winning, not about losing, but its all about completing the entire course and I did it!

p/s: in a freaking long time though~

Last year, my sister shared with me her experience participating in the Paul Bunyan Triathlon in Cameron Park, MN and she really did inspired me to take part in such a race. This summer back home, I've decided to register for Cyman and eventually got Seth, to join the triathlon with me. We shared valuable information on how to handle transition time, run effectively without using a lot of energy, check on each other work out progress and we even did a mock triathlon a week before the event day. Not to mention that my totally inspiring, high-achieving sister has also given me a lot of advise on workouts throughout the summer.

The swimming was good, the bike trail was a nightmare and the running was the event which I was most proud of myself. Seth, the victim I pestered to join the triathlon with had a very bad cramp after the bike trail. It was not just one leg, it was both of his thighs, it was hurting so bad that he has to force himself to stop and rest. Many times while he was resting, he urge me to go forward and he said he'll catch up later. Many times I wanted to just run and make sure I go fast enough and not be the last. I had such an internal struggle to not want to be the last, to not want to lose so badly.. Instead of running ahead of him, I stayed because we said ahead of the event that we will go at the same speed, motivate each other and we will finish the course together. At last, we ended up walking the last 5k and we completed the course :)

By mentioning all of this, I am not saying how wonderful or how great I am as a person, but I want to say that winning is something, but not everything. The result is sometimes not as important as the process. All of the time, almost 6 days in a week which I will devote myself into a 3miles run or a 50 laps swimming, for at least 3 months, I have enjoyed the process so much that I instantly decided to go for more 5k/10k or even another triathlon in the coming years. Many people commented that running is boring and tiring, or its not interesting because it is not a competitive sport. Heres what I found out: Running might be boring and tiring, but after a while you will know that it is not your body thats keeping you going, its your mind. You are competing with yourself, constantly pushing yourself and this is when a runner starts to develop a strong mind strength. If you find my words skeptical, I invite you to challenge yourself in training, or doing a 5K. Try the running with heart on october 4th @ beyer Hall (hehe~ a lil' advertising here) you will eventually get what i mean. :)

Besides my family members and friends, there is this one person who will and had unconditionally supported me, who had cheered for me at every interval, even offered to be the water boy in this triathlon. Baby baby..Thank you so much! Nothing is more encouraging to have your full support and your trust in making through this triathlon. You trusted in me, and you knew I was able to go further. The pat on the shoulder was indeed a wonderful moment for me:)

Thank you wai loon, zi ting, yu, yini, yiying, chloe, cynthia and all others for the good luck. I shall work harder and will promise to not run last next time.. tee hee =D

here are some pictures to share..