In the fall of 2008, I decided that I would do an Ironman. I hadn’t done a triathlon previously nor did I know anyone who had. When I came home and announced the plan to my husband, Jeff, and my 2-year-old daughter, Claire, I was met with requests about dinner. Over dinner, Jeff said, “can you swim?” 

That’s how it started. I had read an article about a woman competing in Ironman Louisville and it sparked something. Sometimes you see or read something, and it grabs your attention in such a way that action is required. I was unsure of what an Ironman would entail but found myself standing on the edge of a large pool 7 months later.

On May 17, 2009, at Coney Island in Cincinnati Ohio, I completed my first sprint triathlon. I chose the race because I was a very new swimmer and the fact that we would swim in a pool made me feel like it was less likely I would drown in front of my toddler.

The temperature was 49 degrees the morning of the race and I checked the weather at least 15 times over breakfast. As we drove to the park, I was excited and nervous. My preparation had been an 8-week plan I found online. I was relaxed. My only concern was the swim, getting a flat, being cold, and looking like an idiot… Ok, I was a hot mess.

The swim was a two-loop course around a huge pool. The first loop was awful. I panicked right from the start. My heart rate was out of control and I truly thought I was going to die. (Little did I know this was part of triathlon) Later, Jeff would tell me that, by the look on my face, he thought I was going to bail on the whole thing. Enjoy the photo of me running from the water looking like a total pro. I ran to my bike in the cold and attempted to remove certain articles of clothing, put others on, and reassure Claire, (maybe myself) by repeating, “mommy is fine.” 

The bike course was flat and uneventful. I was thrilled to be alive after that, “swim,” situation. Coming into T2 I felt great. The excitement made me forget to change my shorts and I almost ran out wearing my helmet.

The 5K run was a loop through Coney Island. It was flat. Jeff and Claire were cheering and the end came sooner than expected. As I crossed the finish line I was thinking, “when can I do that again?” 

After the race, we gathered all my stuff and had a greasy breakfast at the Hitching Post in Hyde Park. I couldn’t stop talking about the race and the next race and all the races that were going to take me to the Ironman finish line.

It has been so long since I spent time thinking about that first race, and yet, it’s always there. Tri for Joe was the spark that ignited a confidence I had previously not known. I felt something, followed my gut, figured it out, and kept going. That has been the pattern of my triathlon journey. Feel, follow, figure, and keep going. 

If your first triathlon was years ago, last week, or if it is somewhere in the future, I would love to hear about it! You cross your first finish line once. Enjoy it, remember it, and share it.