Do you DU? I DU!

That's right.  As of this morning, I completed my first Duathlon (run, bike, run).

In the name of walking the walk, not just talking the talk - I branched out to try something new. 
We are constantly encouraging our 8 year old son to stretch his comfort zone.  Like his Mama, he is a creature of habit. . .We find what we like, and we stick with it.  We love routine.  For the most part, this is not necessarily a bad thing.  However, throughout life, there are times where it's just not a choice - we must step out of our comfort zones, whether for a short amount of time, or indefinitely.
That's life.

I love running.  I love running half marathons.  I could do just that, and be happy.  But I've learned that part of staying fit, is mixing up one's routine.  The body needs change, in order to change.

Today I did a duathlon.  I got up way too early, and drove to Bermuda Run, NC - just outside of Winston-Salem.  I unloaded in the transition area, and then drove 1/4 mile away to park.  It was freezing.  It was dark.  I was questioning my sanity.

Me, pre-race.  Freezing, but smiling.

There were about 73 participants.  We started a few minutes late - about 8:10am, and began with a 3 mile run through the Bermuda Run neighborhood.  As the sun came out, my mood improved.  Although, for some reason at Mile 2 (uphill blues?), I found myself wondering why I pay others approximately $45, so that I can torture the snot out of myself?  No, seriously, I had snot running down my face. . .

In true southern spring beauty - the grass had recently been mowed, trees were blooming - and this allergy-ridden gal could taste the pollen in the air.  Not good, hence the nose faucet.

As I approached the transition area at the end of mile 3, I had no trouble locating my bike/shoes/helmet. . .as it was only one of 6 left.  You read that correctly. . .SIX REMAINING bikes in the transition area.  I had to laugh.

I changed into my bike shoes, rolled down to the mount area, and took off.  I really liked the change of pace!  It was nice to go from running to riding.  The ride was about 14 miles through Clemmons, NC.  Once back at the transition area, I parked my bike, changed back into my running shoes, and took about half mile to find my land-legs again.

During the last 3 mile run, I found myself thinking about previously mentioned 8 year old son, who likes routine, structure, sameness. . .It is definitely challenging to try something new.  It can be discouraging, too.  I thought to myself, "If this was a race, I know I wouldn't be at the end of the pack." 

Yet, it was also a confidence-booster.  I was doing this!  I was trying something new, and I would finish.  I had taken on a new challenge, and while I would not finish first, I would finish. . .

"It doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

I am satisfied.

I am done.  I am still smiling.

Race Notes:  An HUGE shout-out to the fine folks at Trivium Racing and the Winston-Salem Triathlon Club for putting on a great race.  Thank you to all the volunteers who guided us, and handed out water.  Last, but not least, thanks to the Davie County and Winston-Salem police who helped us with our course.