We did it! Echo 2009 Triathlon: Check!

I successfully completed my second triathlon last weekend, and Jake completed his first! I improved my time last year by almost 15 minutes! (It was a different location and the course was a little easier, but faster is faster right?!) I finished 8th in my age group, and I was 2nd out of the water on the swim. That was actually a bit disheartening this year, because though I'm a fast swimmer, I'm not a fast biker. So getting done first on the swim just means I get passed a ton on the bike! I got passed less on the run, but some girl passed me literally at the finish- her foot passed mine going over the finish line, and her time was one second faster that mine!

I know you're all wondering who was first, Jake or me? Jake and I saw each other a couple of times during the race, and he finished before me. But he started before me, and I had a faster time! My total time was 1:30.55.

My race wasn't without some bumps. Here are a few things I DON'T recommend:

• Forgetting to switch the alarm from "weekend/ off" to "on" and waking up LATE because of nerves. Jake and I woke up when it was time to leave, and spent the morning racing around to get ready.
• Leaving your timing chips in the car, which is parked 3 miles away from the starting point. These are anklets that track your time, are required during the race, and $95 a piece if you don't turn them in after the race. We were lucky that we were able to get replacement chips during the race and mail our originals back in.
• Renting a bike that is too big. This forces all your weight forward on the two inch seat, so you're basically riding on your private area. Quite painful!

After all that, still a good race, and I'll hopefully do another one this summer!My friend Nora, who raced with me again. We sported our tri shirts for our "after-party."