TriFitChallenge

Matthew and I competed in Ohio State's Ross Heart Hospital triathlon on Sunday.  We were thankful that Matthew's mother, Sherry Briggs, was here to watch the kids so we could do the race together.  This was my first Olympic-distance triathlon.  The last time I did a triathlon was over 4 years ago and it was a sprint distance, so I was very nervous about attempting something so difficult.  Here's the breakdown of the distances:
Swim: 0.9 mile
Bike: 25 miles
Run: 6.2 miles

This is T1 (transition one) at Atrim Park the day before the race.  All the participants are setting up their bikes and gear in preparation for the big race.  The first event of the day is the swim which was in Antrim pond, then the participants run out of the water, up the bank to T1, and hop on their bikes.  The bike ride ended at Ohio Stadium and that's where we started the run.

When I got to my assigned corral, I got a big smile when I saw the bike next to my spot.  I recognized it as belonging to our friend, Siobhan.  I texted her this picture and she was surprised too that out of hundreds of racers, we were assigned next to each other.  (Later we realized it probably also had something to do with our last names both starting with a "B" however Matthew was in a whole different row than we were.)

This is T2 inside the Horseshoe!  It is always an amazing feeling to walk onto the football field where our Buckeyes play.  This is where we set up our things that we would need once we finished the bike ride and started the run.  We left running shoes, socks, nutrition, and water bottles here.

Morning of the big race!  I was very nervous as I have been working so hard for months and months to get ready.
(And secretly hoping that I don't drown!)

Beautiful sunrise 

The race has started!  They did a staggered start to try and space out the participants to avoid injuries and keep people safer.  That black rectangle at the bottom of the picture is the back of a digital time clock and Siobhan and I are the girls standing just in front of it with our black jerseys with white polka dots.  Participants with silver swim caps are doing the Olympic-distance and the red caps are the sprint-distance.

The TriFit Challenge aims to increase awareness about the prevention of heart disease and encourage heart healthy activities to change the way athletes, family members, and spectators live their lives.  The proceeds benefited cardiovascular patient care and life-saving research at Ohio State.
I raced in honor of my grandmother who passed away from heart disease the summer before I entered pharmacy school.  I miss her and think of her every day.  She left us much too soon and there's so much I wish I could share with her.  She never got to meet Matthew or our children and that makes me very sad.

Gena, Matthew, Siobhan
We finished!

Matthew and Siobhan are members of the roll: multisport team.  The team decided to make me an honorary member for this race to recognize everything I do that allows Matthew to be a part of their team.  Without me, Matthew would not be able to do all of his races.  They also wanted to support me for working so hard after having four kids to get back into shape and be a role model for other moms.  Thank you!

Touchdown!
Not exactly, but a wonderful feeling and accomplishment!

Our finishers medals