I was in the first wave after the Pros and CAF athletes. I'm happy with this swim because it's more than 6 min faster than my first half iron distance. Got knocked in the head pretty good on the way out. One of the medical boats crossed behind me on the home stretch and created quite a few waves which I ended up swallowing.

49:54 2008 Boulder 5430 Long Course
43:20 2009 IMKS 70.3

I'm so slow in transition and this was even worse than usual because we had to stuff everything in our green Gatorade bag so they could bring it to the finish line for us. One big wetsuit and one small bag.

Holy Hills. Toughest course I've ever ridden. It was cool with a little rain. I was just coming off an achilles injury and I had a super sore lower back from too much time in the car. My goal was to beat the cutoff and not be DFL. Mission accomplished. Climbing the dam at mile 50 was a challenge. I think I actually mentioned shooting myself if I ever signed up to do this again. But I might. I feel like I still have something to settle out there.

3:20:52 2008 Boulder 5430 Long Course
3:36:34 2009 IMKS 70.3

Again ... same story. Too slow. But I did stop to give my cheering team high fives and Jim got a big kiss!

Hot and humid. You could feel the heat radiating from the sections of new blacktop. I knew I had to dial this back or I wouldn't make it. Walked the hill from the swim start on both loops. My legs were totally trashed from the bike. MissKelly (my daughter) had a whole support crew hanging out at the campsite and they cheered loud and strong every time I passed. Couldn't have done it without them. Lots of kids with squirt guns and a ton of aid stations with cool wet sponges. My calves completely shut down at mile 12.5. Unfortunately that little surge of pain has erased any memory of the finish line chute which is my favorite part! I was still smiling like I had good sense but headed straight for the med tent to get ice bags. Even with the heat, humidity, and uncooperative calves, I was more than 5 min faster than my first half iron distance run.

2:41:11 2008 Boulder 5430 Long Course
2:35:41 2009 IMKS 70.3

Great race. Lots of support. Spectator friendly. I loved all the hoopla on the run course. It's just what I needed to keep me going. Our good friends from Springfield had never been to a tri so it was fun introducing them to this craziness. This was my second HIM distance race. Both times I had moments where I swore I was a complete lunatic to be doing this at my age but when they put that medal around my neck ... it was oh so sweet!