The Deiberts Now a family of 5!: Trek Triathalon July 11th 2010

This past Sunday, July 11th 2010, I participated in the Trek Triathalon in Pleasant Prairie, WI. It is a race consisting of a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. I had NEVER done anything like this in my life. I started training for it 3 months ago (wondering why I thought to do this the whole time). It was tricky at times trying to fit my training into my busy life. Between Jason's work schedule, Jillian's schedule and my mood getting the training in was difficult at times. As the race day approached I was sure I hadn't done enough...but I guess my end time proves otherwise! It all started on Saturday when my girlfriend Anni (a high school friend who lives in WI as well) and I made our way down to Pleasant Prairie to "register" and pick up our race materials. Let the adventure begin...We had mini adventures on Saturday as we were trying to find the Recplex (neither of us had driven there ourselves and didn't think to bring directions!). Once we finally got there, waited in a forever long line to get our registration packet, claimed our places for our bikes. We jumped back into the car and attempted to map out the bike track so we were "prepared"! Well, the map they gave us wasn't the most helpful or best of maps. After a few choice words and several U-turns later we made it through most of the course. Both starving and feeling a little more nervous we headed home to our visiting fans.

Race morning...I was up at 3:45 AM. As I was creeping down the stairs Jillian woke up and I was able to nurse her (which is what I was hoping for) and I was out the door at 4:30 AM to go pick up Anni. I made it to her house in plenty of time and she jumped in the car. We were slowly backing out the driveway while making a mental checklist of the critical items (well, almost all the items). We started cruising along and making our way to the interstate when Anni scared me with, "STOP STOP STOP"! So I pulled over and she frantically pulled apart her bag. We had forgotten the keys to the bike lock...a very critical piece. We could not get to our bikes with out it! So she woke up her sleeping fiance (who was at his good buddies bachelor party until the wee hours of the morning) and he met us halfway back and brought us the keys. A minor glitch to the morning, but none the less a little panicked. Well we made it down to the park and ride, on the bus and to the Recplex with 15 minutes to set up our stuff before the transition area closed. With that under our belt, we headed to the beach with our suits, caps and goggles. I hate to brag, but Anni and I did AWESOME! Here are my times and the break down of my race.

Swim (1/2 mile) 14 minutes and 40 seconds
1st transition 6 minutes 10 seconds-here I had to dry off, put on my clothes, socks and running shoes. I put on my helmet and got over to my bike. I started pulling my bike out and it got stuck on the bar. My handle bars wouldn't come out. After much pulling, swearing and almost tears, a fellow rider came to my rescue by pulling the bar up and I was able to pull my bike out.
Bike (12 miles) 56 minutes and 6 seconds
2nd transition 1 minute 35 seconds (hmmm much better)
Run (3 miles) 37 minutes and 5 seconds
Total time 1 hour 55 minutes and 40 seconds

I had been training at a little over 2 hours, so I was very much happy with this time. Especially with the run. I couldn't seem to get myself under a 12 minute mile. But I clocked an average 11 minute 57 seconds (shaved 3 seconds! I'll take it). So I feel as though this first tri was a success. I was also excited to be able to finish the race hand in hand with Anni. She caught me at the end of the run and we were able to finish together. It was an exciting, emotional experience that I think I would do again. It was very rewarding to work at something, race it and see a great finish. I had a fan section and I appreciate them coming to cheer me on. My parents and Jason's mom came up Saturday night so they could be there first thing in the morning. They all missed my exit from the lake and onto my bike by like 15 minutes, but were there cheering me on as I got off my bike and started my run. And of course, they were there as I finished.

Thanks to everyone who supported me through the whole process. I know many of you were thinking of me on that day and I truly believe it helped push me through. A BIG special thanks to Anni, without her veteran race knowledge I would have been lost through this whole experience. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her.

Here are some snapshots from the day...