Trek Women’s Triathlon 4 of 10

This past Sunday’s race was a last minute decision for me, a temptation from a fellow triathlete. I was overwhelmed all week heading into the race. I had my first “Why ten triathlons?” moment, I had my first I’m tired of racing moment. This past week was a lot of firsts for me. After a light swim Friday and a short run Saturday I felt rested and was ready once again for Trek, thankful my doubtful moments were behind me. I slept great Saturday night, which was once again a first for me.

Race morning was smooth and fairly quiet, I went through my warm up feeling good. I even had a desire to race! I decided to take the front inside line in the swim. The first leg of the swim was directly into the sun and it was nearly impossible to spot the buoy. I worked off a tow

er in the distance until I got close enough to see the actual buoy. My plan for the inside worked as most swimmers took to the outside: Thankfully I was able to swim unimpeded for the first half. Before the first buoy I had caught the end of the wave before me. The waters got a bit more congested and I had to swim through fading racers. I popped out of the water and got the signal that I was 5^th. Once again I was surprised and my placing, a lot of training and prayer goes into my swim and a good swim leg is something I never take for granted.

The bike course I knew was pretty much flat and so there was no reason to not go hard. It was a pretty uneventful bike, most exciting moment was shaking the lady who was unknowingly drafting off me, see not to much excitement. I used my time on the flats to refuel and hydrate as it was going to be hot! I came into T2 having moved up a few more spots.

The run I knew would be hilly and all trails as I have run this course before. Coming off the bike my legs were more wobbly than normal and I was working hard just to not trip over them. I hit the trails and kept thinking to myself, “pace Brooke pace”; this is area I am trying to grow in. One girl in my age group passed me

on the run, she had a sick pace that I could just not hold to. Even though the race was only a sprint I was wishing for some porta-potties as all the water I drank on the bike was catching up to me. I crossed over the finish line and headed straight for the bathrooms. In the end I place 3^rd in my age group and 19^th overall, I couldn’t be more blessed with those results but I also know not every race will be that successful, it is remembering to have fun and keeping focused on why I am racing. There are so many kids who need hope and to learn to trust, kids who need a place to heal and a place to grow. Racing is a platform to share about a bunch of people who want to encourage and show kids love. These triathlons are also a chance to encourage others to do the same.