The 6-question meme

I've been tagged with these questions:

1. Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever
2. Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon
3. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?
4. What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?
5. What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?
6. What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?

1. Describe a memory from your first triathlon ever

It had a 500-yard indoor pool swim. Ten whole laps. I'm not sure that I had swum that far continuously, ever. I remember standing up a couple of times for a breather at the end of the pool and asking the kids counting laps how many laps that was. Seemed like a million. I also remember breast-stroking a lot and being embarrassed that I kept hitting the person sharing my lane - but I just wasn't comfortable doing freestyle yet.

2. Describe a memory from your most recent triathlon

Ironman Florida, November 2006: Standing in the cold, cold sand with my feet freezing and looking back on all the triathletes in their wetsuits waiting for the start in a mood of unbelieveable excitement and happy anticipation.

3. What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you in a tri?

Ironman Florida, November 2006: After I stopped, feeling too exhausted to continue, sitting near the finish line and throwing up into a cardboard box, and having the watery barf drain out the cracks of the box when somebody picked it up.

4. What's the most thrilling thing that's happened to you in a tri?

Finishing just about any time I've gone farther than I expected. I don't think I can single out one - my first 1.2-mile open water swim, my first 2.4-mile open water swim, my first 2.4-mile ocean swim are all up there.

And I don't know if I'd categorize it as thrilling, but there's something very satisfying about correctly fixing a flat during a triathlon and keeping on going, unruffled, until the finish line - which happened in my last TWO half Ironman races.

5. What is something you discovered about yourself by doing triathlons?

It's fine to me when I finish in the back of the pack. It's far superior to not trying at all.

6. What is The Big Goal that you're working towards?

This year: getting leaner and faster at medium- distance races (half marathons, Olympic and half Ironman triathlons).

You're next. You've just been tagged.