Submitted by Lisabeth Tunell:

Triangle Transits and Triathlons!!!

I have just completed my 6th triathlon (sprint distance) all located within driving distance of the Raleigh area.  For those of you moving into the area and either already participate in Triathlons or if you are thinking about doing your first...you have LOTS of choices.  Just a warning for those of you thinking about doing one, once you finish your first one you will be hooked as I was.  I wanted to do "1" before my big "50" birthday and now I can say that by the time I turn fifty I will have done 8!  One of those will include the Olympic distance, in which I hope to at least finish the race.  If you are unfamiliar with the distances here is a brief description:

Sprint----500 to 750 meter swim/14-18 mile bike/3.1 mile run

Olympic- 1500 meter swim/24 mile bike/6 mile run

Half- 1.2 mile swim/56 mile bike/13.1 mile run

Iron Man-2.1 mile swim/112 mile bike/26.2 mile run

I never realized just how popular this sport is until I really started to train and compete (well compete is not really the correct word as I am not really a competitor in my age group except with myself---I try to beat my own time each race!)  Most Triathlons will have 600-1000 entries and the age ranges from 12 to 80 (yes I said "80" and HE was right behind me).  It is quite an experience on race day and your nerves and stomach are all in a knot until you hear the horn and you start the swim segment, all is quiet and you understand that it is all up to you to pull it out from within!

Once out of the water the cheers begin and the encouraging starts and you get rejuvenated from an exhausting swim and on to the bike where there are so many spectators encouraging you and volunteers with kind words....but you need to remember to leave enough fuel for the run. Just when you think you are at the end of your rope you see the finish line and your adrenaline kicks in because you hear the announcer calling names and the music is playing so you kick it up a few notches and come across the finish line like you could keep going but your body tells you otherwise...

Crossing the finish line and feeling that sense of accomplishment is something you cannot explain so I will just say that I have already set a goal of doing a "half" next May and yes my Husband thinks I have lost my mind but to those of you that have been there, done that, you know exactly what I am talking about!!!  Thanks Triathlete's