I did it!
I completed my first-ever triathlon today. I feel amazing. Tired, but powerful and capable and just ... awesome. My time was an embarrassment, but that's not really what this was about.
I actually started to cry as I crossed the finish line and hugged the Other Human.
It was a hard race despite the short distances (500 yd swim / 10 mile bike / 4.1 mile run). The swim was my strongest event and I felt great for most of the bike, but the last mile of the bike was tough -- I mistook an aid station (where volunteers hand racers water) for the bike-to-run transition, so was mentally off the bike about 3/4 mile too soon. Add in a ferocious hill and I was about ready to give up by the end of mile 10.
I didn't, though. I didn't give up on the hill and I didn't give up on the run portion (which I walked 90% of).
And my name was called when I crossed the finish just like everyone else.
I'm a triathlete, and I can't wait to race again!