The gun went off...took a deep breath and walked into the water. I started mid-back of the pack and took my time. Found my groove pretty easily, passed a lot of people on the way out which wasted a little time since I had to swim around them. Was feeling great early on, the whole first loop was pretty uneventful. Rounding the last turn to come to shore I got a little sun, but it was gone again when I started the second lap. I exited the water, saw my dad, threw the shocker hoping someone would get a picture (but they didn't). Stopped and had a cup and a half of water. Took another deep breath and hoped for the best. For one second I thought, I hope this doesn't hurt, but then I remembered my 5k swim that I did easily, slow, but easy. I figured the worst that could happen was I'd be slower than my estimated time, which is fine. You're having fun! I felt great starting the second lap, my arms never hurt, I had an excellent time with my breathing and never felt overwhelmed. Halfway through the second lap I picked it up, starting passing a bunch of people. I couldn't do any harm by speeding up at this point. I found a guy to draft off of for a little bit and then I passed him. I exited the water. Thought "IS THAT IT?!?" Looked for my dad, threw a double shocker (one for each loop)...yelled at him "I want to do that again!!!" Some people laughed, but I was serious. I really could have done it again. I think I should have been a swimmer growing up, I think I could be pretty good.

Train, swim faster. I can probably count how many times since May and June I've actually gone to the pool. I've counted my races as my swim training.

I laid on the ground and let the wetsuit strippers do their jobs. Two young (teen-age) girls were open so thats where I went. I should have picked older guys because they sucked. They had to try several times to pull it off my legs, I had to reach up to help. Aggravating.
I took too long in T1. I put on my bike jersey then remembered I forgot my HRM at the bottom of my bag. Had to start over! Took a deep breath, remembered its a long day and to take my time. Put on HRM, then got a volunteer to put sunscreen on me. Got redressed, put Vaseline on my ass and on my feet.

Dump everything out of my bag, lay it out, and go in order!

I knew this course was going to be hard. I rode part of it in April when I did the Olympic here and Brett and I drove the course on Thursday so I could see Sugarloaf, Buckhill (series of 3 big climbs and 2 smaller ones before) and the conditions of the roads. Saw my dad right out of T2, told him (with a smile) that this was going to be a long day. He said, 6 hours! I laughed and said 8. My computer went out after the first mile! I got pissed, but then thought, well, this might be good to just ride comfortable, I don't need to know my speed and this will just be training ride. My nutrition plan was to eat every 30-45 minutes and I alternated between Snicker Marathon bars and peanut butter crackers. I took Welshy and Bretts advice to use salt tablets even though I hadn't ever used them before. Nothing new on race day!!! I was freaked out by this, but was glad I used them. Gatorade doesn't work with me for long distance, too much sugar so I drank V8 about every 20 miles and had 2 cans at special needs. I kept myself under 16mph for the first loop. The first loop was nice, I got passed by everyone on the course. I smiled at everyone and talked to those that needed/wanted to talk. Was not going to let myself get down about this, I know that I cannot go hard on the bike, I'm not fast enough for it to make a huge difference. I got through Buckhill like a champ, it was the only time (at this point) that my legs burned. I swallowed my pride and walked up Sugarloaf, I figured if I played it that safe on my first loop I could attempt it on the second. Kendall passed me right after Sugarloaf, he told him I looked good and he did too. It was nice to see a familiar face. About 5 minutes later James rode up next to me. We chatted for a bit, it lifted my spirits to see those guys because I knew I wouldn't see Brett (he's too fast). My first loop took about 4 hours, 15 min longer than I expected but that was ok. I just didn't want my second loop to take 5! The second loop was really lonely. Didn't see anyone for miles. I did ride with a guy for about 8 miles before we split up, I stopped to pee. (I passed him on the run...) On the 2 lane highway, SR 19, the wind really picked up. I almost crashed twice on this road. The first time I was in aero daydreaming and a huge gust of wind blew me about a foot to the right and I wobbled big time. I almost ended up in the grass. Got out of aero for a bit to regain composure then went back down. Less than 10 min. later an 18 wheeler was too close and 1. scared the shit out of me and 2. blew me over again....I actually passed several people around Buckhill, but had to walk the steepest climb in that series. Again, keep smiling, actually talked with a guy from Atlanta, small world, as we walked up together. I left him as he walked up the third climb but I rode it. (passing someone again!) I knew I'd pass people who went to hard the first loop or sick and I did pass a lot of people, it felt good, I gave them words of encrouagement. I was pumped to get off the bike, but kinda sad that 2 of the 3 events were over. Several times during the bike I tought that I really didn't want the day to end. Maybe thats why I went even slower...

Nothing. I can say I should have trained more, but I just need more time on the bike. I was on my bike a lot this spring and summer, and Brett even says probably too much. I think I'll be better next year and I am just accepting my slowness.

RAN into T2. Felt awesome. I really wanted to take the infamous "bike over head" picture perfected by Welshy, because I felt so great, but my Jock Straps weren't close to the dismount line so the moment would have been wasted without a picture. Was pretty quick (or so I felt) in the tent. I was done changing and really need to pee. Decided to pee at the door of the tent because I was not walking BACKwards to the porta potties by the bike dismount.

Nothing. Had a great time rubbing it in to the other people how good I felt. Some girls were really hurting in there, I felt so bad for them.

My goal (which was probably too big of one) was to run the whole first half of the marathon only walking through water stops. Again, I knew if I went slow enough on the bike I could make it up on the run. Felt awesome starting out, stopped for a Diet Dr. Pepper from my dad and a Wahoo picture by Jess. Literally was jumping around, prancing because I felt so good. I was pumped. Was running between 10-10:30 miles for the 6 mile out and back. Alternated water and gatorade with pretzels and gingersnaps too these 6 miles. I was being very cautious since I had sugar overload and got sick during my second half-im and it tasted good this way too! After the out and back it was one loop around the lake then the halfway mark. Saw David as I was done with my out and back, he was almost done with his last lap. I kept to my plan, ran the whole 13 miles. Was pumped! The second lap around the lake was my slowest. I got the trots before mile 15 (I think) and was drenched in sweat, pouring off me!, in the porta potty for over 12 minutes (timed myself). It stunk so bad and was so hot, there was no way I was getting back in one of those again. Turns out I didn't have to since I was retaining water so badly I looked 5 months pregnant. So, the best part of the run was that I ran with a girl named Michele the whole time. We left T2 together and were the same pace. When I was in the porta potty she went ahead a mile and waited for me at the next water stop. When I got there she had hooked up with this guy named Brad. We ran our whole second lap with him, it was his last. If I had not just gone to the steamer, I would have crapped my pants he had us laughing so hard. This was the best distraction, the second lap could have been our lowest point--when you realize you still have ANOTHER one to go. I kept thinking about BT, what I was going to write about this guy. He was drenched in sweat and was chaffed pretty badly. He ditched his shirt and was covered in Vaseline. His shorts were really bothering him, so he had them tucked up like Jim's yellow speedo guy picture. I'm not kidding. He was complaining about his trots too and that the ultimate thing that could go wrong for him was to crap his pants. I was having a hard time keeping up with them because I was laughing so hard. Mentally I was gone, time, distance is fuzzy. I forgot to time my miles before the halfway point, everything was about just getting to the next water stop for chicken broth or water. I saw David 2 more times at the Bedrock water stop he was drinking at, he was wasted by my last lap. That was really funny. I think everything was funny to me at that point, I was keeping a postive attitude the whole time. No point in getting down-I'm doing this for fun!
I tried to convince Brad to finish with his shorts pulled up like that (seflishly so I could get the pic and post it here!!) but he said his wife wouldn't like it. Oh well, I tried.
Mile 18-20. Things get interesting. We ran into the same people many times as people would pass and repass as some lingered at stops or the bathroom. At mile 20, we ran into a group of 4 older gentlemen, one had a cell phone...I couldn't resist... :) I felt remarkably good the whole race until this point. Ironically it was just like hitting the wall in a marathon, but 1,000 times worse. EVERY part of my body hurt. My arms, triceps, even forearms hurt as I ran. I didn't feel sharp, injury type pain, just painfully sore muscles. I am very thankful I didn't have an aggravated injury to deal with (IT or knee issues). I realized at this point how severe my water retention was and was thankful that I was on my last lap. I tried several times to pee on side of the road hoping some would pass. My hands were so swollen I couldn't close them and they felt disconnected from my body. Looking back now I realize how wierd I was mentally. Everything was funny to me, but again, fuzzy. Michelle and I were on our own and we both agreed it would be over faster if we ran--in reality, a slow jog, but it felt, and for descriptive purposes, was running. The pain was the same walking or running so we chose running. Good choice. I am very proud that I ran most of the marathon, the most I walked was the second lap, but we were still alternating walking and running. Somewhere in the second or third lap my race number tore off my belt. I had to re-pin it, but it was pitch black dark. I stabbed myself with the safety pin, and was really bleeding. It still hurts 2 days later! After the 25 mile mark I let her go ahead of me. Again, I was not in a normal Comet mental state. This girl was in my Age Group and I let her, voluntarily, go ahead of me. I told her I wanted to reflect on the race and was going to finish on my own. We thanked each other for sticking together, it could have been a much more miserable and slow experience without her. I thought about the whole race for the last mile. I couldn't believe how long of a day it had been, but I didn't feel special or like an ironman. It was hard to process but I really felt like I could have gone further. I was in shock, couldn't believe it was over. R-A-N up the hill, it was pretty big, I wanted my damn beer. Turned the corner, I could hear my Dad yelling "BOO!!!" (my childhood nickname)...I couldn't see him but yelled back "Where's my beer??!" I saw him standing in the middle of the road with the big ass beer, gave him my hat and reflective vest in exchange. I didn't want to have a runined picture. I RAN across the finish, jumped around, pranced, did a little dance move. Spilled my beer all over the place and the spectators and announcer were laughing. This was the best part for me...I couldn't stop laughing as he said that I was going to get a 2 minute penalty for finishing with a banned substance! LMAO!!

Nothing. Was really pleased with the way I felt physically, I ran more than I thought I would.

Walked to the massage area. They're charging for a freaking massage!! WTF? I'm still the same old me and wouldn't pay or get one out of principal. I'm stubborn that way. Tried to drink some Endurox, but it tasted like crap since the beer tasted so good. Talked with my Dad, Brett, Jess, Wendi and Mike for about 5-10 minutes. Stopped by the food tent and grabbed a burger. After a stop for ice at the gas station, dropped Brett off at his hotel (I was laying in the backseat of the car by the way). I really had to pee but didn't want to walk. I got out of the car in the parking lot, sat on the cement car stopper thingy (don't know what its called) and peed. Brett and Jess laughed, but I wasn't walking anywhere. Got right back in the backseat and laid down.
We got back to the house, Jess was so sweet and carried all the stuff inside. I could barely bend my legs, ran a cold bath and got in. Poured the ice on myself...it actually felt good.
As I laid in bed that night, talking on the phone of course, I was in the worst pain of the day. I was really scared to go to sleep because I didn't want to wake up in more pain. I felt like I was being stabbed with hundreds of knives all over my body.


I could have done more swim and bike training.


I liked the course for the most part. I was very disappointed in the volunteers leaving some of the bike stations on the second loop and they ran out of water! This could have been disatrous to my nutrition plan since I planned to stay away from Gatorade. I only drank it as I felt I had to, I was not going to let this affect me.
Paying for post race massage? PAAAHHHLeeeasseee.

So, I was suprised to learn the next morning at the breakfast I got 3rd in my AG. I was really happy I wasn't last. I would have gotten 2nd if I hadn't let Michelle go on, but the time alone was worth it and I'm not upset about it. I still have the opportunity to go to Worlds next year in Austrailia, but that will probably mean pulling out of IM LP in July. I am going to decide in the next couple of weeks.