Our Tejas Tri Experience, a play-by-play account- Part Uno

(This is the tri-suit I wore for the race.)

Some of you have already heard this, but it's worth telling again. This occurred a couple of years ago.

This is a play-by-play account of our triathlon experience. (Since it's really long, I'll post it in parts. Enjoy!)

Thus, the story begins.

We woke up bright and early at 4 AM. The triathlon was about 20 miles south of BJ’s house, and we wanted to make sure to have enough time to get there and set up our gear. And, Houston has horrible traffic. So, we get there, and the parking lot is full. We park at a local grocery store and ride our bikes to the start/set up area. We feel good, full of energy and ready to tackle the day. All of our bowels have been emptied, and we hydrated in the car on the way. (Of course, I had to make a pit stop along the way in a parking lot- nothing new!) Everything is going as planned. We set up our equipment. I copy the girl next to me in hopes that she has done it right. I don't want to appear to be a newbie in front of the hard core chicks.

We get our timing chips and band- no line. Husband attaches the timing chip to the strap and then to my ankle. Since I'm so small, the strap is attached but hanging on by an inch or 2 of weak Velcro.

Husband heads to the start. He's in the first group.

I have to pee again. BJ and I head to the port-o-pots. We wait in line. I go. As I'm pulling up my tri-suit and pulling up the zipper, the zipper busts! That's right, the zipper busts! I call for BJ who was in the port-o-pot next to me, no answer. I call for here again, still no answer. I walk out of the port-o-pot attempting to keep my boobs under wraps, but they have other plans! (Keep in mind, I have nothing on under my tri-suit. NOTHING!) I hear a girl say, "Her suit has busted, that sucks!" I want to cry! I see BJ. HELP ME, BJ! With calm, soothing words BJ says, "We can fix this- everything is okay." I am about to cry. My Mo-Jo is gone. BJ attempts several times to fix the zipper and finally she gets it up. It is uneven, but up. Now, I'm shaking. I still want to cry, but the look in BJ’s calm eyes averts the tears. All I can think about is my suit busting open on the swim or on the bike or on the run. BJ reassures me that everything is okay. "You'll be fine," she says, and I believe her. She says it in a way that only a best friend can.

You'll have to wait until tomorrow for Part Dos.