Forward – I have written about this before (twice) but I just got the pics from this year’s race and it brought it all up for me again so this is what we call a three-peat. Apologies if you are bored with this story.
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The Tri for Real in Pleasanton, Ca is my “A” race because this is where it all started for me. I don’t have pictures of me doing it in 2000 on a Schwinn Varsity 10 speed but I do have the official results and my time was 2:31.05 and I placed 254 out of 260 women. 3 “men” came in behind me. One was 11 years old, 1 was limping pretty badly and the other one was grossly overweight. I hated that race and swore that I’d rather run a marathon every day of my life rather than ever do another triathlon.

In 2005 I started blogging and I bumped into Jeanne’s blog and that lead me to Bold’s blog (he retired so no link) and consequently a whole host of triathlon blogs and that opened up the world of triathlon to me again and so in 2006 I decided to give this race another try. I was cool – I had a hybrid bike, spd pedals and I owned a cycling jersey. I finished in what I was sure was 2:11 but there was no entry for me on the results sheets. I spoke with the RD and ultimately they decided I finished in 2:08. Whatever.

The other thing that happened at that race was that the volunteers were from Forward Motion Race Club and they seemed like such nice people and it seemed like it would be really fun to race and train with locals so I joined. That was a good move because in 2007 I did 6 triathlons (Wildflower, Tri for Fun, Folsom International, Tri for Real, Bethel Island and SOMA quarterman). I was hooked. In early 2007 I bought a fancy carbon bike, I bought team kit, I bought a wetsuit and so it goes.

This year I raced less but I raced better finishing my first 70.3 (Vineman) in 6:55 with a little help from my friend Jenny Moore who watched the time and made sure we came in under 7 hours. I had way too much fun at that race (see last set of pics). I also did Tri for Real again with the goal of coming in under 2 hours. Mission accomplished – with a smile on my face.

I’m already signed up for Oceanside 70.3 for April 4, 2009 and there’s really no telling what next year may bring.

Tri for Real 2006 – ROOKIE!

Tri for Real 2007 – In Team Kit!

Tri for Real 2008 – More Fun, Less Fat!

Vineman 70.3 2008

Vineman Finish