It all started back in July when I decided I wanted to purchase a road bike. I'd been foster biking my mom's mountain bike all summer to make sure I liked it, but I was ready to buy something I could maybe race in some day. Kelly's bike-smart husband Paul was all over helping me out with research, more research and answering my millions of questions. He spotted this used road bike online, and it soon came home with me. I named her Sumi. It's short for Sumiyaka: Japanese for speed.
The following Monday I decided I wanted to race in a triathlon that weekend in Plattsmouth. I woke up that morning at 5:45 feeling tired but excited. (These races really cramp my sleeping schedule). I had to pick up my packet, get my number drawn on my arms and legs (hands down my favorite part) and set up my bike/run stuff in the transition area. 
The swim started in heats in the pool, and with 130 racers, I knew it could be a wait. I'm not sure if it was better or worse, but I was Heat 1, Lane 2. Eek. No time to get nervous. It was a sprint tri, so it was all over so fast. The race was a 500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. It was crazy fun though. I even made the cover of the Plattsmouth sport section the next morning in a fairly unflattering finishing sprint. I ended up winning my age group, and I was hooked!
So hooked that I quickly signed up for the Black Squirrel Triathlon in Council Bluffs. This one was not only further distances, but the swim was IN Lake Manawa. Yeah, I shudder every time I think about it too. Trust me, it's not as sparkling as it looks.
The horn went off and everyone ran in at the same time. It was pretty koi fish-crazy. Bodies everywhere, swallowing water, kicks in the face, insanity. Thankfully I made it out without too much drama and proceeded to the bike and run around the lake before getting to sprint through the giant, orange blow up finish area. The total race was 1000 yard swim, 21 mile bike, 6.2 mile run and absolutely perfect weather.
The third tri took place right near my parents' house the following weekend at Chalco Hills. This was an all-women's race and a shorter, informal Try-a-Tri distance. My mom was awesome enough to make the early trek out to play photographer, cheerleader, and sherpa.
I couldn't believe how many people were there. It was by far the biggest event I've done. There were so many mothers/daughters, people of all age/size, and bunches of eager teenage girls. Such a great atmosphere. The swim was in Wehrspan lake and really informal and short.
The bike and run were really informal too. I think I ended up about 100 meter swim, 6 mile ride, 1.5 mile run. They didn't keep time at all, so it was just for the experience and practice.
Here's my wonderful cheering section. (That's my friend Emily on the left who I've known since kindergarten.) Great, great morning.
So that's pretty much how I've spent the last month of my summer vacation. Hopefully everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather and start of football season.
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