Most of us have that one race that will always stand out in our minds. For some it’s the fastest one or the longest one. For me, my most memorable race was my first triathlon in 2006. The Iron Girl Triathlon.
My Most Memorable Race
Back in 2006, before IPhones or Facebook, I completed my first triathlon. The Iron Girl in Columbia, Maryland. The name just sounds bad ass doesn’t it? I sure felt pretty bad ass that day too. Here’s why.
I was never a runner and in fact, hated running and was more of a step aerobics and gym girl. On a ski trip in 2004 I tore both my ACL and my MCL in a serious accident. With a 3 and 6 year old it was pretty devastating. I began my rehab and continued to build back my strength with a personal trainer for almost a year. We focused on strength training and I started to love the results.
In the summer of 2006, I read an article in Shape Magazine “12 weeks to your first Tri”. Well, I really had no idea what that entailed. I ripped out the article and brought it into my trainer. “Let’s do this” I said. What did I just sign up for? I had not ridden a bike in years and well there was that running part…
Let the training begin
I will never forget my first “run” on the track and could barely make it around one lap without needing to stop. Wow running was so hard! That summer, we slowly worked up to running 3 miles. Knowing nothing about bikes, I purchased a heavy hybrid bike and began pedaling around. Swimming laps was a lot harder than I remembered.
Fast forward a few weeks and I was in full blown training mode and most likely, in the best shape of my life. Not too many women were doing triathlons at that time and I did not know anyone to talk to about what to wear or what to eat.
There were about 300 women at the inaugural Iron Girl triathlon in 2006. I lined up with my age group and got ready to jump into that lake. Holy smokes! It was petrifying swimming in a dark lake. I swam as fast as I could just to get out. Onto to the bike it was! I am actually doing this thing, This was a hilly and technical course like nothing I had ever ridden on.
I had a rough transition to the run but I was in my zone and I was going to do this thing. The hills were relentless but I knew the finish line was in sight. Hearing the roar of the spectators at finish, propelled me through.”You are an Iron Girl” and I was. I was so amazed that I actually did this thing and broke out in tears when saw my husband and kids
Iron Girl will always have a special place in my heart as my most memorable race. I went on to fall in love with running and triathlons completing this race 7 more times. Sadly, it’s not around anymore but I am excited to get back to triathlons this summer. If only I could get that 36 year old body back too!
Linking up with fairytales and fitness
Out of injury – into the triathlon! You definitely don’t mess around.
You look great on those photos! You still look fabulous, exercise and eating right has served you well over the years!
Thanks Catrina!
That’s a great memory–what a comeback! You look amazing, too. Wouldn’t we all love to have our 36 year old body again? You look pretty amazing now, too!
Yes I think we all would! I hope I would take better care of my skin knowing what I know now
What a great memory! And OMG those ABs! #BAMR You know I’m still afraid to tri, but we should find a dual.
I sadly don’t have those abs anymore. I am doing an indoor tri in Reston late April and that, I know you could do!
That’s quite a memory, and an even better accomplishment! I want to do a tri (emphasis on “a” LOL), but the swimming will be a major hurdle for me. It will happen, just not in 2020….Thanks for the inspiration!
I definitely think you would be great at them! Look for one w a pool swim much easier to start with
That’s quite a memory, and an even better accomplishment! I want to do a tri (emphasis on “a” LOL), but the swimming will be a major hurdle for me. It will happen, just not in 2020….Thanks for the inspiration!
That’s so cool you ran in an inaugural race! And to do it from scratch is so impressive.
I think I had no idea what I was getting into at the time!
WOW! What a story! Can’t believe you jumped right into a major triathlon!!! THat is so cool. LOVE those photos too. So glad you shared this story.
Thanks! I think I just had absolutely no idea what to expect or what I was doing!
Laid up with severe injuries AND a 3 & 6 year old to keep up with?!! I don’t know how you did it… Honestly breaking my leg or somehow being unable to care for my kids has been a fear that creeps up from time to time. I still haven’t come up with a plan of what I would do (just in case)!
You look so strong in your race pictures! And swimming in a dark lake?! No thank you. You are brave! (and I can’t swim. hehe)
It totally threw me for a loop at the time! It’s crazy how it happened
Wow, that is an amazing story, Deborah! And a smokin’ hot bod, too! That took so much guts.
Thanks for sharing your story — you’re going to inspire so many people!
Thanks! I really had no idea what I was getting into at the time. Now if I could just be 36 again 🙂
Great story, thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks for checking it out!
Congrats on your Iron Girl! I didn’t know you ran one back in the day. I think that would be so fun! I did my first sprint triathlon 2 years ago and I thought that was tough with the transitions as well. Great photos!
It sure is tough and I am excited to get back to doing them again this year
I cannot believe you did this race 7 times! What an amazing accomplishment. Cherish those sweet memories. They sure sparked something beautiful inside you!
You are so kind thanks Leslie! Thanks
I enjoyed reading about your first race back then. It’s fun to learn how people got into running and their story behind it. Thanks for sharing and for linking up with us. -M
Thanks for reading and reminiscing with me!
So inspiring! Thank you for sharing. While I don’t see myself ever doing a triathlon, I have a lot of respect for those who do it!
I never thought I would either! You just never know