I started doing Triathlon Relay Races last summer. It is a great way to race with your best friends and compete for the same goal. It’s mostly about having fun together, but almost impossible to not get caught up in competing with the other teams!

This year, I rounded up two good friends to join me in the Barb’s Race Relay. Barb’s Race is the only women’s half Ironman triathlon in the world. It encourages women to achieve their personal goals along with supporting cancer research and local charities. It’s the only triathlon I’ve competed in where everyone cheers each other on. I was even cheering for the women I was trying to beat! And they did the same for me. It’s a wonderful racing environment. This race was about support, not selfish goals.

The race started in the Russian River. Temps were cool, but the water was warm. Ducks were swimming around as the racers started. Our swimmer was Erin, a former Athleta fit model, experienced triathlete, and mother. As she headed out to the turnaround buoy, someone on the return took a dangerous angle back into outgoing swim traffic and hit her head-on! After a little shake-up, she continued. She exited the water with a quick hand-off of the relay timing chip. Wendy was ready to go on the bike.

This was Wendy’s first triathlon adventure. She is an amazing athlete and mother of two gorgeous daughters. These days she focuses on adventure racing with her most recent accomplishment finishing Primal Quest in 2008.

She was excited about the 56-mile ride. She didn’t have a tri-bike or aero bars. She headed out on her road bike and some new knowledge of drafting rules. The course took her though wine country over rolling hills. The last challenge, Chalk Hill, proved to be punishing for all, but she endured.

She rolled into transition and I took the timing chip from her leg and headed for the run course. There were four women in front of me. There was no way for me to know if they were competing against me in the relay or if they were doing the half Ironman on their own. I had to think that each was my competitor and try to take away time on each.

The run course rolls through the vineyard hills. It’s a tough course with canted roads. I was pushing along solidly and even picked off one racer. I kept thinking… we have to make the podium. With 4 miles to go, I had a major blister outbreak that proved painful. I refused to let it stop me. I kept pushing through, thinking I was just holding onto 3rd place. I wanted to keep my team on the podium!

I rolled into the finish knowing that we were in the top three, but not knowing who was in front of me. When we checked the results were we excited to see that we won our age group in the relay and took 2nd overall of 64 teams. It was SO exciting to win.

Post race we put on our sexy, comfortable Athleta Sunset Dresses. Many women at the finish were envious of our cute outfits. We looked great and were comfortable. I have to say that I was the best-dressed athlete in the med tent getting my blisters drained!

We proudly accepted our winnings, Sonoma County wine. A perfect finish to a perfect day with great friends. It doesn’t get much better than that — doing what you love with the people you care about on your best day. And somehow you walk away with some great La Crema wine and a silver necklace to prove it! We will be floating on cloud nine for a while…

Thanks to my friends – Team Ponytail Express!

xoxoxo
Tracy

Tracy is the Merchandising Product Manager for Athleta’s sport product lines, and an active marathon runner and triathlete.

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