Sunita Williams Launch: Finishes First Triathlon in Space

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, 46, holds the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman and now she set another record: the first to ever complete a triathlon while orbiting in space.  

She did so by running, biking and "swimming" along with other athletes that competed back on earth in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon held in Southern California over the weekend. 

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She used exercise equipment such as a stationary bike, treadmill and a strength-training machine, specially formulated for weightlessness to help her "triathlon experience in space," according to The Huffington Post. 

They also reported that for the swimming portion of the race, she used a Advanced Resistive Exercise Device for weightlifting and resistance exercises that resemble swimming but in microgravity. 

Williams finished her race in 1:48:33. Watch the video of her racing in her triathlon while in space, courtesy of Space.com. 

On Sept 15, Williams took control of the International Space Station, making her only the second woman to ever be a commander in the orbiting lab's 14-year existence, according to the Christian Science Monitor. She will command its Expedition 33 crew until November, before returning to Earth.  

Williams first went up to space in 2007 and spent 195 consecutive days up there, setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a female astronaut. On Wednesday, Sept 19, she will celebrate her birthday up in space.