So, I run in and the drop off is pretty immediate. Lots of legs and arms everywhere. I couldn't get in a groove until at least the first bouy. Evil thoughts went thru my head like "what the heck am I doing? How can I swim just less than a mile when I can't even make it to the first bouy? Which, by the way, is only slightly less than a quarter mile? Finally made it to that first bouy and rounded it, only to be pounded in the head and kicked in the gut a couple of times by the wave after me....yes, those men caught me:( Well, I had the little talk with myself and said DTFU!!! Took a look behind to see just how far I had fallen and saw some light purple caps back there which meant I wasn't the last in my wave and even some light blue caps, which were in a wave ahead of me. That gave me enough confidence to just put the head down and go. Kept counting to myself like I did in the pool. 12 strokes to get me to other side of the pool, or 12 strokes to go another 25 yards. Swam off course quite a few times so I know I swam more than a mile so I am happy with my time. I was very surprised when I looked at my watch in T1 and saw the 36 and change. Looked down the rack to see if AmyJo had left let and she was there getting her bike gear on. Gave her a status check and I was on my way. I knew she would catch up on the bike.

Not freak out when looking at the course. Just put the head down, breath and stroke.

My bike was racked right next to the swim in entrance. Cool. Oh, but wait, I have to run all the way to the opposite side to bike out. DANG! Grabbed some sport beans, shoved 'em in the pie hole, took a swig of water and ran out. Man I had to relieve myself, but no time to waste.

Go to the bathroom before heading out.

Biked out as fast as I could. Had to play the carrot for AmyJo. I knew she would catch me and was hoping to get a good start to maybe ride with her. We rode together til about mile 5 and then she pulled ahead. I wanted to keep her in my sights and probably did for the next few miles and then, **poof** she disappered. I was hoping not too far ahead so I would be able to catch up to her on the run. Kept playing tag with a guy and finally introduced myself and we rode together for almost the rest of the race. As you may all know, I don't have a bike computer so I know not how fast (or slow) I ride until I log it. He was telling me we were at a 20 mph pace. NO WAY! This totally juiced me up and I just kept hammering away. Some say the bike course was short by about a mile and half, so even if it was I still broke my goal of finally racing over 18 mph. I will take it. Until Steve, my riding partner, showed up, I was doubting myself much like in the lake. WTF am I doing? Can I really keep up with Amyjo. Naysayer, blah! Very happy with how my bike turned out regardless of not being able to keep up with AmyJo.

Just put on a bunch more miles and get comfy on the bike. I am told that I seriously need to get my bike refit. I guess I could try that:)

If I didn't mention this before, my rack was at the point of swim in. Bike in and out were in the same spot, hmmmm. That means I have to run all the way to the back of transition to rack my bike, get the shoes on, grab some more sport beans and run out. Oh, wait, run out is on the opposite side of my rack too. Hmmmm, something doesn't quite add up here. Didn't see AmyJo in transition so I knew she was out there being the carrot for me. Even though she forgot her donkey tri top at home:) I walked thru transition and made sure to grab some water to down after the beans, looked at my watch and I was under 2 hours. I was definately going to break 3 hours! More go go juice surges! EEEEAAAAAWWWW!

Rerack my bike to one closer to bike in/out and run/out. There was plenty of space up there. Maybe next year.

After seeing that I was under 2 hours going out on the run I knew I was going to break three hours. I was so pumped. My original goal was 3:15 and my overly optimistic was 3. Time to go find my carrot. I think it was about a mile and a half in when I saw the white cap with the blonde pony tail hangin' down. She had a fluid belt on and I wasn't sure if AJ used one of those. Got a little closer and saw the white sport bra, could it be. I gave a shout out "AMYJO?" She turned and let out an explicitive "SH!T". Made me giggle. Yup, I found her. She told me to keep going. She couldn't get her heart rate down. So, we shortened our strides and chatted a while. Walked thru the water station together and ran through the fire hydrant water that was spraying every so pleasantly. Ran about another mile together and I started to pick up the pace cuz I had to go really bad. She warned me about the one port-a-john that was on the route. I avoided it hoping there would be another somewhere on the course. The bath house wasn't even open:( I suppose I would just sweat it all out. MAN WAS IT HOT! My thought was to run to a can and while doing my business she would catch up and we would run in together. There was never another opportunity. I felt great and just kept my pace. Mile three passed, then mile four and mile 5. Damn I was hot. Poured lots of water over my head, but that just wasn't doing the trick. My legs felt great, arms were relaxed and heart rate was pretty darn perfect. 1.1 miles left. Okay, pick it up a little more. Seriously, pick it up a little more. I couldn't. I was stuck in the rut. Half mile to go. Okay, really, pick it up. I was able to lengthen my strides, but I don't really think that made me go any faster. Saw Clint, Force and Wildee on the hill before the finish. They were all cheering me on. Go Donkey Mama, go, go, go. I felt like I was sprinting, but maybe not. Crossed the finish line with victory arms and tears streaming down my cheeks. I did it. I get choked up thinking about it. Had a nice wet COLD towel handed to me by one of the volunteers in the med tent, medal handed to me and I grabbed a Gatorage and Water and finished the chute. Whew, it is over and in a very respectable time might I add.

Work on nutrition. I felt great, but probably could have run more efficiently if I had a few more calories in me. Use the john before going out on the run. That is what made me the most uncomfortable I think.

Walked around in a hazey daze. Gave a high 5 to the man named Steve who had finished before me. Thanks to him, I had a great bike time. Chatted with Schmize and Holly and a few others while trying to find Clint for my victory hug. Grabbed a naner and a bagel and tried to eat. No go. Way too tired to even chew. As I told the pals yesterday, there was no way I could pull one more stroke, pedal one more rotation or run one more step. I left it all on the course. Saw Amyjo come in from her race and gave her a shout out. I lost her though. Again, **poof** she disappeared. I went looking for Clint again and finally found him with everyone. We went up to the beginning of the finish shoot to wait for Maggyruth. Clint and Force went out on the course to find her and run with her to the finish. Cheered her on as she came thru the shoot and then it was a day. Cleaned up transition and waited for Clint to come back with the car. That shuttle thing was a pain in the arse.


Heat, inexperience on the bike.


I heard there was beer somewhere, but never found it. Plenty of fluid, naners and bagels. Great support on the race. Great volunteers. Transition has to be reevaluated to be set up as a far race for all.