Skirt Culture

The last time I blogged about Vegas, I wrote about hate and love. Love and hate. Today, after competing in my first Olympic distance triathlon, the Aflac Iron Girl at Lake Las Vegas, I feel the same way. Except now, despite my blistered and burned covered feet, from a not-so-friendly desert hell trail run after a steep and windy ride, I feel a little more love for the city. I've never seen such inspiring women at one time, all out for the same cause, perhaps for different reasons.

Now, if that weren't enough, my highlight came, when ten minutes before I was supposed to start (sorry Nicole, I should have been warming up!), I realized I didn't know what the hell I was going to do with my hair. For those of you who don't know me, I may have the most unique, wild, dramatic, uncontrollable weave that has ever ponied the earth. In fact, most bike helmets don't fit, and after 17 years of competitive swimming, I still need help with my swim cap. So, what did I do? I didn't panic, I simply turned to my spectator/bike technician/savior/super-fan boyfriend and said, "you wouldn't happen to know how to French braid hair would ya?" He said, "yes, of course I do! I don't know how I know, but I know. Is that weird?"

Without haste, he quickly unzipped my wet suit, pulled off my cap, and said, "now, the key to French braiding is forming three perfect separations of hair, and making sure each is equal." And in an instant, my hair was perfectly braided and out of the way, and I was ready for the cold water just as the "Aflac!" start led us out with a huge smile on my face. Nothing like finding out minutes before your race that your man may be more of an "Iron Girl" than you are!! It made my day, and helped me keep a smile on my face throughout the race.

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Meg Gill is the Marketing Manager for SkirtSports