She Rocks! Triathlon

The first all-women's triathlon in Michigan, She Rocks! was a great success. I was so nervous as I waded into Portage Lake with my two friends and daughter...fortunately the over 55 and the under 30 were grouped together in the staggered start. Grey clouds held in their rain for a choppy, but storm-free 800 meter swim. The clouds burned away as we all started peddling through the gorgeous countryside near Portage Lake for 10.7 miles. The 3 mile run threaded its way through a forest trail before a long straightaway on road. The four of us had a great race, and it definitely sparked a fire in us first-timers to do this again. Aren't so many of our fitness challenges like that? At first it seems like an impossible goal, but then - when it's over! - the impossible has melted away and left only motivation to it again. But faster!

Even trainers need trainers. Thanks so much to my guide and inspiration, Lisa Hesse of Women In Motion (http://womeninmotion.us/index.cfm), and to all the WIMmers: great job! Thanks to EST Events (www.estevents.com) for making first-time triathletes feel so welcome and charting a great course. I finished the race in 1 hour and 45 minutes....a personal best!