Our First Tri...

Wow. I can't believe the Triathlon is actually over! What an amazing day and experience it was!

We woke up at 5:00-which wasn't too bad for me since I often wake up that early for work-but Jared had a difficult time getting out of bed! Praise the Lord I actually slept really well too! Our stuff was already packed, so after getting dressed, making eggs and toast, and loading our borrowed bikes, we were ready to go (a little later then anticipated which was a bummer)

We arrived at the race site around 6:10 by the time we unloaded our bikes and walked over there. Most everyone was already there, so we had to put our bikes toward the back and really felt rushed especially after waiting 10 min to use the "honey bucket"! By the time all was said and done I only had 15 min to set up my transition area and get my wet suit on! I would definitely get there about 30 min earlier next time!

The men were first to get in the freezing cold 58 degree water at 7:00--They swam to the middle of the lake and started at the sound of the air horn--I of course cheered nice and loud for Jared--which I'm sure he heard:) As soon as they were off, us women entered the water...yikes it was soooooo cold! Several people actually got hypo-thermia and were taken away by ambulance! I was unprepared for the air horn to go off, so I was taken by surprise when it did. The water was extremely shallow and Jared and I both scraped our hands on the bottom multiple times!! The swim was ok over all--not great and not bad. When I got towards the end I was just so grateful to be done! It took me a few minutes longer then usual, but whatever. As I ran up to the transition area, there was my handsome husband waiting for me cheering me on:) What a great boost that was!

After warming up enough to step out of the wet suit, Jared and I took off on our bikes-we could tell we were behind the majority of people (due to my slower swim), but we had such a fun bike ride together. We were able to talk and laugh through the 24.8 miles together and encourage a lot of people along the way--we feel like we made a lot of friends today!

Getting off the bike and switching to running was WEIRD!!!! Holy Moley my legs felt like jello! Fortunately I've run 6.2 miles many times, so I wasn't too concerned. The first 3-4 miles were quite enjoyable-we prayed aloud together for our church service that was about to start, and for some other churches, and talked about how much we had to use the bathroom:) But by the 5th and 6th mile, I just wanted to be done! My knee, hips, and back all started hurting but I knew we were in the home stretch! **side note, we actually passed quite a few people on the run which felt fantastic!**

Jared was such a wonderful encourager the whole way through---constantly telling me how proud of me he was. What a great man I'm married to!

As we came through to the home stretch, they announced our names over the loud speaker "It looks like we have a husband and wife team here-Jared and Angela Amerine!" Jared grabbed my hand and was busted out those last few hundred yards together---what a powerful moment! I almost broke down in tears at the end---just so grateful for the strength and mental capacity the Lord gave us, and the blessing of doing something so wonderful with my amazing husband!

Thank you Jesus!!!
~Angela M.