My First Time...Part 1

by Maggie Fournier

I precisely remember the day. It was a warm and beautiful Saturday in June. I was quite nervous, but so excited about the new experience ahead. My then boyfriend and I had talked about it and had chosen the perfect location and time. We had both prepared for the upcoming day and were excited to share this together. This was going to be the moment I had been waiting for so anxiously…It was the summer of 2001, in Quebec, Canada.

Of course, I am referring to the day I raced and finished my 1^st triathlon! You see, a couple of years before, I was recruited to do the swim portion of a local tri. This gal who swam at the pool had talked me into joining their team, mistakenly taking me for an experience swimmer! Let’s just say it did not go so well; actually not well at all. I panicked so badly I had to be rescued from the water by canoe! I think I barely made it to the first buoy. True story. (Man, so many memories…) This time, I was prepared and excited about it. I raced with my sister’s 2 piece swim suit (again, no joke!) and was so relieved to cross the finish line, albeit in second to last position. At least I had finished the darn thing and finally earn the title of Triathlete! I remember vividly looking franticly for some Gatorade at the finish line; convinced I was about to have a heart attack, pass out, collapse or all of the above. I was very fine, mind you, but still to this day I cannot figure out why Gatorade? But I was hooked.

I drove back home that afternoon, excited to have experienced something new, sharing the adventure with a partner. My family had come along and I know they enjoyed the race, but even more the awesome brunch at the host hotel! There was something for everyone to enjoy. To this day, my dad still loves to come and watch me race whenever possible, even though he still asks me every single time: “what are the distances again”? (And still looks for a good place to eat while I am racing). I had signed up for this very first triathlon, wanting something new to try, wanting a goal to shoot for and reach. I also had some demons to overcome from my previously failed attempt at open water swimming and I knew the beer would be quite tasty afterwards J (some things never change).

All the memories I made (and continue to make) while training and racing are what keep me coming for more. It is not necessarily the podiums, accolades or wins, but truly the experience and process to get me to the starting and finishing line of a race. I continue to enjoy every single experience, good and bad, which has formed me into the triathlete and person that I am today.

Oh and I ended up beating my then boyfriend that day…

I wonder what he is up to today, if he still races…?  

Stay tuned for My First Time Part II, the one about my first Ironman...

Stay healthy :) 

Maggie