Tri-ing for Two

This past Sunday, Sarah and I participated in a local indoor triathlon. Sarah and I have done this race together almost every year since 2012, with the exception of last year due to Sarah being pregnant with her little guy due in the summer. When we received word that the triathlon was taking place again this year, we sent a few texts back and forth and agreed that while it may not be our best athletic performance, it would be a super fun way to celebrate not only her return to triathlon after giving birth in June, but my entry into triathlon maternity leave for 2015.

The indoor triathlon consisted of swimming, biking, and running in 20 minute waves with a 10 minute break between each sport. After getting the “go have fun and enjoy yourself” stamp of approval from my doctor, I was excited to spend the morning with a good friend doing what I love to do.

It was time for the race to begin! During the swim, Sarah and I were able to share a lane and being the little fish that she is, lapped me pretty early on into the swim portion. Dealing with some motion sickness and regretting the donut that I ate that morning, I enjoyed swimming with a tad bit of grace and speed. The swim portion of the race has always been my favorite in any triathlon and a pool swim is no different.

Swim Time! Photo courtesy of Quinn Willoughby Photography.

After 20 minutes of swimming, we hopped out of the pool and jetted into the locker room to change into our bike clothes. Thank goodness for 10 minute transitions, because putting a sports bra on while soaking wet (ahem- especially while pregnant or nursing) should be an event in itself. We hopped on some spin bikes and began the 20 minute bike portion. The spin bikes were a blast! With no resistance on the bike, it was up to the athlete to pedal as fast as possible and keep the bike maxed out during the entire time. While fielding the occasional "remember to take it easy!" glances from my husband, I thoroughly enjoyed this portion and was able meet my goal of keeping the bike at the highest possible rpm’s for almost the entire 20 minutes. Despite not being on a bike since before the birth of her baby, Sarah kept the bike maxed out for the entire 20 minutes as well.

Just keep pedaling! Photo courtesy of Quinn Willoughby Photography.

And then it was time for the run. Oh, running.

Whether it is a local sprint triathlon, an Ironman, or a simple indoor triathlon, I have never truly loved the run portion of triathlon. And this run was no different. Pregnancy has yet to affect my swimming or spinning, but goodgrief, it sure has affected my running. According to my pregnancy app, the little dude growing inside me is about the size of a butternut squash. And it turns out that running with a butternut squash in your stomach is not all fun and games.

Meanwhile Sarah is tearing it up on the run!
Photo courtesy of Quinn Willoughby Photography.

Think I'll just hang in this lane for awhile. Run along, everyone! ;)
Photo courtesy of Quinn Willoughby Photography.

Thankfully, I had purchased a “Trainingfor Two” tank from For Two Fitness and it arrived just in time for the big day. While wearing tight tops is not usually my thing, this tank was my mental saving grace for this entire race. Wearing this tank helped me deal with the growing insecurities that come with pregnancy weight gain and allowed me to check my race ego at the door. And quite honestly, it quieted my inner desire to shout to the rooftops that I while I was running slow, feeling puffy, and being passed by people twice my age, I was in fact 5.5 months pregnant. An added plus is that the tank prompted some extra race cheers and fun post-race conversations with fellow athletes.

Such a fun morning doing what we love! 

Overall- the entire morning was amazing and such a blast to experience it with Sarah. She not only made her post-baby return to triathlon but also claimed the top overall female winner! I ended up with second place in the female 30-39 age group. This is one race medal that I look forward to sharing with my future butternut squash while I tell him the story of his first triathlon. 


-Steph