Best Race Experience

So have I mentioned how much I am enjoying begin on Team Tough Chik? Never mind that the season has barely started yet. It is such a cool group of ladies from all over the world with varying fitness backgrounds. We have a private Team TC Facebook page that is hopping with posts/comments/questions everyday.
Over the weekend Lynne at The Pawsitive Thinker came up with the idea of a weekly Tough Chik question. The first question was picked by Shannon, the founder of Tough Chik.

Shannon's question is 'What is your best/worse race experience?'
I am going to chose best race experience since, knock on wood, I haven't had a really bad race experience yet.  

My best race experience is the 2009 Tri for Sight.  

As most of you know, I lost my Dad to Multiple Myeloma in 2006. I used this race to put my emotions into action. I joined Team in Training to compete in my first triathlon. When I joined, I didn't know how to swim, I barely rode & hadn't run regularly in many, many years. In 14 weeks I learned to swim 800 meters non-stop, ride 18.5 miles & run/walk 4 miles all while raising over $3000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The experience was emotional yet amazing. I did things I never thought possible while meeting some great people that I am lucky enough to now call friends.

Me & Dad after my College Graduation (1998)

My 2009 Finish

You can read the full race report HERE

Since my first triathlon, I have done 7 Sprints & 1 Olympic triathlons as well as 5 1/2 marathons. Now if only I could get over this crazy injury I would be all set!