Triathlon 2013

Four summers ago, I planned to do my first triathlon with Zach. 

Everything quickly changed in January 2010 after his sudden death. 

The Summer of 2010, I decided I needed to do it for him. 

This summer I needed to do the same. 

It helps me do something positive for him. 

This summer was by far my best time and experience. 

My first experience I remember, sobbing on the bike ride cursing at Zach the whole time. 

2011, I cruised but still had a tough run. 

This year, I thought would be a killer. 

My training was basically none. 

In fact, when I jumped into the water, that was my first swimming of the year. 

Turns out, this year it worked for me. 

It was raining a good portion of the race. 

Which biking in the rain on a road bike is frightening. 

I felt so close to Zach and know that he was with me there the entire time cheering me on. 

Love that Julie is always ready to do the race with me!

Our cute cheerleaders for the morning!

My parents deserve a cheerleader metal. 

They sat in the rain running from place to place to cheer me, Julie, Dylan and Cole on. 

I know it was the last thing they wanted to do on a Saturday. 

But it makes all the difference when you hear people cheering your name.

The kiddos did great!  

They both are great swimmers and powered through the race!

So proud of these little dudes! 

I really did love every minute of this race, with the exception of getting up at 5:00am after being up moving Jason in until 3:00am. (Not my smartest move)

It is a good experience and helps me continue to heal from losing Zach.

I miss him everyday and grateful for his love. 

I did it!

I have wanted to do a mini Triathalon for the last couple of years. I actually started training for one a couple years back but highly under estimated the amount of energy and work one takes. After much debating, this year was the year. I had a couple of co-workers competing and then talked my sister, Julie into doing it with me. I wanted to be able to put my energy of missing Zach and that ordeal into something positive. So I decided to do this in honor of him. He had competed it a few triathalons a couple of summers ago. It was a great thing to focus my energy on. One week prior to the race, Julie and I did a practice run and I started having panic attacks. Not a fun thing. I didn't know if I would be able to do it. I was terrifed the morning of the race. I went and did it with zero anxiety. My time was nothing spectacular but I finished and that is all that matters.

They had people starting every 15 seconds. They had just told me to "Go!" Let the race begin!

Part one done! Now on to the bike!

These little cuties were there cheering me and Julie on the entire time! Cute little things!

Finishing up the bike. This section was by far my least favorite. NEVER AGAIN on a mountain bike. Love you, Cole! How much farther?

I could almost see the finish line at this point and started to hear my family! My cute Mom was there waiting at the finish line! Love you, Mama!

This is my co-worker, Janie! So glad that she did this and we could celebrate together at the finish line.

Julie did the longer race. After I was done, I went straight to the cheering section to cheer Julie to victory. I ran to the finish line with her.

We did it! I'm so glad Julie did this with me. Thanks for pushing me even when I wanted to kill you!

Our awesome cheering section/photographers. Thanks for being the best family ever!

I'm so glad that I did this. It taught me a lot and I was able to push myself in ways I never have. I know Zach was there with me today cheering me on the entire way. You're always in my heart, Z!