Training Weekend!!

So this past weekend was Training Weekend at San Antonio Lake. Wow was it fun! We got to do the whole course just like it was the actual race. We also camped the whole weekend!

On Friday everyone headed down to San Antonio Lake and once we got there we started claiming our spots and setting up our tents. Once all the tents were up I started moving in the "less bit of things I brought." I wanted to have the whole camping experience so I just brought a Wal-mart sleeping bag and a light blanket with pillow. WHAT WAS I THINKING. The ground was hard and the temperature at night and in the early mornings were cold. Good thing this was a practice weekend...Note to self..bring an air mattress and several heavy blankets. Tova was my tent buddy and will be my tent buddy for the actual race.. I am excited! The first night after setting up tents we all had a potluck dinner and talked around the campfire...drinking a couple of beers.

On Saturday morning around 7 am we all got up and prepared ourselves for our first part of the triathlon; the swim and bike. I have to admit I was kinda nervous. This wasn't the real thing but it was pretty darn close. The swim portion wasn't too bad once I got in the water. The water was a decent temp but it took me forever it seemed to get a rhythm started. Once I finally made it to the buoy which seems to be moving backwards as I swam to it, I gave out a big cheer and turned around to head back to shore. The way back was so much easier... I finally found my rhythm!

Once I got out of the water I headed to the transition area to get ready for the bike portion of the race. No one was in a big hurry like the race would be so I took my good old time getting ready for the bike as well. Unfortunately while everyone was transitioning, one of our long distance teammates that went out earlier in the morning for her bike ride got into an accident. We were told she is doing fine but she did dislocate her shoulder. Things just happen when we do these crazy events.. you just have to take you chances.

So off with the bike ride... SO MANY SLOWLY INCLINE HILLS!! It kinda sucked. But I have some man thighs..hehe so I was able to get through it. The hardest part of the bike ride is the first mile which is straight uphill.. no joke.

That afternoon everyone was so relieved to get the hardest part of the race done, we had a huge dinner with all the San Francisco teams, some entertainment by most teams and then we all headed back to our campsites and continue to drink some and chat it up.

Sunday morning was the run portion of the triathlon. Again the course was all hills. But I survived. After the run everyone packed up and headed home!

This weekend was definitely worth doing. We got to do the whole course to prepare us for the actual race, we know what we need to sleep perfectly when we camp and now I believe it when they say this is the SECOND HARDEST TRIATHLON IN THE WORLD...first being somewhere in Europe. Perfect race for a newbie! lol