I really felt great on the swim. I never felt anxious and my sighting was very good. There was some contact eventhough I started in the back, I don't ever start at the front as I am not so fast or competitive. I must say I had been anxious about swimming in a lake as I much prefer swimming in the ocean. I am terrified of alligators!!! and to make things worse 2 days before my brother's 90lbs dog was killed by a 9foot alligator...YES, I am not kidding. My sister in law was walking her by a canal that has a walking trail and the damn thing came out and grabbed the dog. So to say the least my mind was not really in the mood to be swimming in the lake!

Swim faster!

get faster!! I am like a turtle at these transitions!!

I think it was more than 56 miles! my Garmin said it was 59, oh well. This was the hardest bike course I have ever done. The hills were everywhere and there were a couple that people were walking their bikes up! I must say that I am very surprised that florida has these kind of hills, sugarloaf hill I was told is a 17% grade which for us Floridians is like climbing mount Everest..lol..it was very hot and windy at times. Excellent support throughout the course. I was just happy not to get a flat specially going downhill when I was going 31mph!! yes, for me that is very fast..;-)eventhough this is my slowest time ever I am super happy that I survived. My nutrion was right on, I had NUUN, water, cliff blocks (margarita ones which have extra sodium), and extra salted pretzels. I never felt dehydrated but my quads were on fire and I really thought I was not going to be able to run.

Practice riding hills!

Another slow time. Basically when I got off the bike I just walked slowly into the transition and took my time. I really thought I was not going to be able to run, so I had to take a few moments to "re-group"

I could not have done anything differently, my quads were on fire!

Wow! that is all I can say. I never experienced such heat and I run in south florida all the time but this was insane. Thank God for the fantastic volunteers, the neighbors who came out with hoses, ice, kids with water guns..THANK YOU! lots of people cramping up, walking and just giving up a few miles before the finish. I walked and ran, walked and ran 5min and 1 min walk..that is all I could do. I put ice on my head, drank coke and water, could not eat one thing...this again is my slowest half marathon ever but it was the hardest I have ever done so I am happy.

run with a personal air conditioner!

Went under the shade and took a cold shower. Had watermelon and grapes..my husband and friends were waiting for me and cheering me on the last mile, it was awesome!


heat! hills! I need to practice riding hills


This was an AWESOME race!! I will definately be back eventhough it just about killed me ;-)...The race is small but just fantastic. I highly recommended it.