The One with the Triathlon

Its been nearly a week since I returned from Chelan!

Life has been a bit crazy, so I apologize for lack of blogging. In the past four days I have hardly been home at all, thanks to two movie theater excursions, spending time with family in Auburn, and getting to see my baby friend Pippa. Tomorrow we are headed to Bellingham for a bike ride. Fun stuff! But CRAZY busy. Needless to say, I haven't been cooking a ton or eating all that healthy either. Oops!

Back to Chelan.

Yes, I did complete my triathlon! The bad news first....I felt sad for my poor swimming teacher who put so much time into me....I completely forgot how to swim! The morning of the race I warmed up with my cousin and could swim quite well. In fact, she said I had an excellent stroke. But as soon as the race started, I began to hyperventilate. So of course breathing under water was out of the question. I ended up doing most of the swim on my back, doing the backstroke. I also did a little breast stroke and a tiny bit of crawl when I could get my breathing under control.

When I got out of the water my adrenalin was rushing like crazy and I just BOOKED it. My transition was fast. I started out on my bike super quick and passed everyone in sight. Eventually my hand went numb (poor bike fit...I'm borrowing it) but I still pressed on. I said "passing on your left" over and over. When I got back to transition I was completely zonked. TOTALLY exhausted because I had just pretty much sprinted for 13 miles. Still, I tried to run as fast as possible. I kept telling myself that I was a runner and I sure wasn't going to lose on the run. After about half mile I felt much better and started passing people again. Eventually I finished in second place! There were a few guys ahead of me, but I was second in my age group....I think 11th overall once all the heats finished.

Needless to say, I was super excited! My first triathlon was a success! I still have lots to learn on the swim, but at least I didn't die, and I ended the race well. That's all that matters.

I just wanted to give you a little 30 before 30 update. Here is the complete blog post of all the things I wish to accomplish by the time I'm 30. I just have a little more than 3 years!

So far I have:
10) Run a Marathon
14) Mini Sprint Triathlon
19) Learn to Really Swim.

Its been a pretty active summer so far. :)

30 before 30

Here it is...

30 before 30!

Some were adopted from the last list and I have pared it down to only 30 (not 40).

1. Visit all the counties in Washington

2. Learn to speak Spanish better

3. Try paddle boarding at Green Lake

4. Go to Europe

5. Master manual mode

6. Have a baby

7. Take a photo in a European phone booth

8. Go unplugged for a week

9. Take an art or photography class

10. Run a marathon

11. Take photobooth photos with Matt

12. Finish reading the Bible

13. Paint pottery

14. Mini Sprint triathlon

15. Get published in a scrapbook magazine

16. Make a chalkboard

17. Make Paleo cupcakes

18. Go to a tropical place

19. Learn to really swim

20. Find the perfect little black dress

21. Stay on top of health & nutrition

22. Organize my closets

23. Go to New York

24. Ride my bike around Mercer Island

25. Draw more, doodle more, sketch more

26. Put my toe in the Atlantic Ocean

27. Get a sewing machine

28. Perfect my handwriting

29. Paint my kitchen (hopefully)

30. Have a picnic with Matt

My updated 27 before 27 list

I have completed a few of the things on the list and I have made them Bold. I only have a year left! Tonight Renae and I were making 30 before 30 lists and I searched through my blog to find this list for inspiration....now I pretty much have nearly 40 goals before 30...that wasn't supposed to happen!

Soon I will post my 30 before 30 as soon as I complete it!

1. Travel outside the U.S.
2. Learn to play the guitar.
3. Learn how to speak Spanish.
4. Be happy with my body.
5. Pay off my student loans.
6. Organize all my scrapbooks.
7. Make a new friend.
8. Read the Bible more.
9. Visit all the counties in Washington. (Yes, I know, a silly goal. :) )
10. Learn how to run barefoot.
11. Do chin ups and pull ups more easily.
12. Write more. Write some poetry.
13. Bike around Mercer Island.
14. Paint pottery.
15. Complete a mountain bike race (maybe a beginner one!)
16. Learn how to swim.
17. Have a picnic with Matt.
18. Randomly try a new restaurant.
19. Paint my kitchen (hopefully!)
20. Learn how to get enough sleep.
21. Make my house look cute.
22. Visit Cannon Beach again.
23. Stay on top of my health and nutrition.
24. Drink more tea.
25. Go unplugged for one week (no internet!)
26. Spend a weekend in a cabin.
27. Go to a play or musical.

My list

A few months ago I wrote a list of things I wanted to do before age 27. I have completed about 4 of the things on my list so far:

10. Learn how to run barefoot.

I ran Chelanman in my barefoot shoes! A little tack or staple made its way all the way through the rubber and into my toe. I had to pry it out mid-race! Overall, those shoes make me run faster but I was sure wishing for cushion by about mile 8!

15. Complete a mountain bike race (maybe a beginner one!)

I have completed THREE mountain bike races and have a race planned for Sunday!

18. Randomly try a new restaurant.

Two weekends ago, Matt and I decided to go to "the next coffee shop we see" for breakfast. It turned out to be an awesome little place on Phinney Ridge and we plan on going back soon. I definitely will be doing more of this random restaurant picking! Its an adventure, at least!

27. Go to a play or musical.

I went to the symphony with Hannah! I think this counts. But I might try to go to another show...we will see!

Happy Friday everyone! Its finally a beautiful weekend here in Seattle and I intend to enjoy it completely!

Before I am 27.

I have seen lots of lists on people's blogs about what they will accomplish in the coming year. I thought it would be a good idea to write some goals down so I will be accountable! However, I am going to give myself until age 27 because I'm almost half way through my 25th year. (Scary!)

1. Travel outside the U.S.
2. Learn to play the guitar.
3. Learn how to speak Spanish.
4. Be happy with my body.
5. Pay off my student loans.
6. Organize all my scrapbooks.
7. Make a new friend.
8. Read the Bible more.
9. Visit all the counties in Washington. (Yes, I know, a silly goal. :) )
10. Learn how to run barefoot.
11. Do chin ups and pull ups more easily.
12. Write more. Write some poetry.
13. Bike around Mercer Island.
14. Paint pottery.
15. Complete a mountain bike race (maybe a beginner one!)
16. Learn how to swim.
17. Have a picnic with Matt.
18. Randomly try a new restaurant.
19. Paint my kitchen (hopefully!)
20. Learn how to get enough sleep.
21. Make my house look cute.
22. Visit Cannon Beach again.
23. Stay on top of my health and nutrition.
24. Drink more tea.
25. Go unplugged for one week (no internet!)
26. Spend a weekend in a cabin.
27. Go to a play or musical.

A new goal

I have a new goal...learn how to play the guitar!

I played tonight for the home meeting because Glenn is out of town. Boy do my left hand fingers HURT! It was so much fun, yet I still have so much to learn. I remember a time when I was able to switch from chord to chord very fast! It may have been nine or ten years since I have played the guitar...pretty sad!

Hannah and I will get together and play sometime soon. She has a guitar that we can practice on.

Mom and Dad, do you still have that old guitar? Maybe I can borrow it next time I'm in town.