Who Says This is Fun?

My friend Nicole and I signed up for the Lake Padden Duathlon. This race was minus the swimming leg of a triathlon which I was totally cool with. We had to run 2.6 miles around Lake Padden, ride our bikes 14.5 miles from Lake Padden around Lake Samish and back and then another 2.6 mile run around Lake Padden. We thought this was a doable task and set out with our training. We soon found out that even though the course might seem short it is quite hilly which was challenging. We set a goal for ourselves of completing the race in two hours. Since neither of us had done any sort of multi-sport race this was all new to us. Lets just say it was an experience.

We arrived at the race, which was a beautiful day, and were checking out the competition. We were getting a bit nervous because people seemed to look a bit professional. Nicole and I just get out on the weekends to mostly so we are not diehards by any means. We are, in Nicole's words, Weekend Warriors. We like to have fun and feel a sense of accomplishment for completing an event. Just to give you and idea this was a Bellingham Parks and Recreation event which cost $15.00 so we thought it was going to be totally low key. As you will soon read..... this was very much not the case.

Here we are getting our bikes set up before the race:

Next it was off to the start line. We were a bit nervous but more excited than anything. As you can see we are so not serious but notice everyone else. They were super focused and as we were waiving at Will some of the people were probably half way around the lake already no joke. There were only 150 racers total so you could really tell where you stood amongst the group at all times. I will definitely keep you posted as to our status as we go on.

Here we come into the transition area. We are so tired already after sprinting, for us it was sprinting, around the lake to try and catch up with people. We came in to find less than 15 bikes left in the transition area. This was a bit discouraging but no time to think about it just had to keep going. At this point I was so on a mission to not be last I wasn't really even thinking about our 2 hour goal.
  

I thought it was faster to run up the hill than get on my bike. :)

So we were off on our bike ride. The first part of the bike ride is uphill which is not so much fun. Nicole and I spent much of it catching our breath and laughing about how crazy we were and that we have never gone so fast or pushed ourselves this hard in our life. Like I mentioned we are usually out for a stroll and today was so very different.

Will and Amber followed us around the course which was very cool. We were the only people with course support out on the ride. Thank you Will and Bebe for cheering us on we needed it!!

Back to the transition area we come. This is always the fun part because your legs don't really want to work after riding up hills let alone run. It feels like you have heavy weights on and even though you are picking up your feet it feels like you are shuffling along. We came in and much to our dismay had to run past many people who had already finished. Ugh!!

I look beat but look at Nicole racing in all ready to go on the second run. You go girl! Great form. :)














So now off on our last leg of the race another run around the lake. As I mentioned above our our legs didn't want to work and we spent the first quarter mile or so laughing about how heavy they felt. I also did a lot of talking to myself during this race especially since it was a bit humbling to be in such a small group of very good athletes that is was very noticeable that my skill level was lacking compared to theirs. We did however finish and we were only 2 or 3 minutes past our 2 hour goal so that is definitely an accomplishment. Our hubbys, friends, family, etc. were very proud of us and that meant a lot that they were there for support. I think if you asked either one of us if we would do it again we would say yes. This must be why we signed up for the 25 mile Tour de Whactom the weekend after this race. :) Yes, pictures and our adventure will be posted next.

Chloe was excited to run across the
finish-line with Mommy!!

Yeah Team Lake Padden Duathlon we did it! Can't beat the early morning weekend rides, talks and running/walking. Thanks Nicole for motivating me to get out there!

Hope you all enjoyed my latest adventure and check back shortly for our Tour de Whatcom pics. Cheers and until next time!

JET