Angels Race Triathlon (Clemmons, NC)

An excerpt from Beth's narrative about her triathlon on Sunday, Sept. 17:

It is truly difficult for me to put into words what this past Sunday was like. It was a bit overwhelming actually. I had been training on my own and with a small group for almost 3 months and now was the time to put it to a purpose. It was suggested that we arrive at Tanglewood at 6:30. A line is snaking thru the park in the dark looking for the next flashlight to tell us where to turn; hairs on the back of my neck are standing straight up from anticipation. I am so excited at this point I start to cry and laugh at the same time...I am really doing this. Put my bike on the rack; lay out my beach towel, on it I place my shoes and socks, shorts, helmet, and smaller towels for drying after the swim...Up ahead I see my pine tree, my, YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO THE FINISH pine tree. Pass the barn, run behind the train, pick up the asphalt sidewalk and there is the finish. “And now crossing the line is Elizabeth MacDougal from Clemmons.” I am done. I cross the finish line and immediately wish I had run faster. I am 4th in my age group for the run, I finish the triathlon in 1 hour 19 minutes. I am 79th overall out of 143 female entries. I hang around to see the rest of my training group finish. I am so glad I did this.