What I Learned from my First Triathlon:

1. After 7 weeks of training, your body starts to get VERY tired.
   
2. When you're training for the bike and run part of the triathlon beware of the gazillion gnats that like to chill before the sun comes up, you will either very likely be eating them as protein for breakfast or they will blind you as one flies right in your eyes.
3. The next time I attempt swim training with flip turns, I am buying a nose plug. I may have been able to do them as a teenager, but those days are over.
   
4. I love race swimming. It's super fun!
5. Wearing a sports bra underneath your swimsuit is totally worth it, even if it doesn't match.
6. A road bike is totally worth the investment if you're going to keep it up. Mountain bikes are pretty heavy and can slow you down quite a bit.
   
7. When the volunteers at the water stations offer to throw water on you, take them up on it, it feels fabulous in 100 degree weather!
8. When you can't use your iPod, singing really does keep you going!
9. By the end of the race, you're so tired you swear you can hear an angel chorus singing at the finish line.
10. Sunglasses are a must have - especially on the bike.
11. Even though you love your kids they have no concept of what waking up at 4:20 in the morning and then running, swimming, and biking over 15 miles can do to your body and will probably drive you crazy the whole rest of the day after your race.