Short people are at a disadvantage! Had to be on my one tiptoe to stand in the water start. I actually felt great on this swim. I swam hard, and when I came to the "double" orange buoys, I was so excited and pushed hard. After all, I asked Vigo what the turn around was, and there they were. Nope. 2 buoys at EACH turn. Oh well, I forgot it was a rectangle. Years of doing this race as a triangular swim...oops! So I was a little disappointed to see the long swim back. And then the orange caps of the waves behind me passing me by...you know, the swim USED to be my good leg. Whats happened?? Disappointed in my time. I've been swimming in masters, but maybe just not hard enough.

walked through the transition area and drank water, since I had a bunch of salt water I had swallowed. Gross. At least I didn't have OWS beard!

I had changed my goal to aiming for an 18 mph split. I went easy the first 10 miles, since my hamstrings were TIGHT. Then we turned onto the highway and hit the headwind. Yikes. This is not what I wanted, b/c its a long way to go in the headwind. I actually managed to click my average speed up to 18.3 and felt good when I turned into the refuge. But I was hungry. Eating so early, then waiting around for 1.5 hours for the swim made for a hungry Amy on the bike. I only had swedish fish and 2 fig newton bars to go with my gatorade/water mix...not enough. More on that later...Somewhere in the refuge I had the stupid idea to go for the 20 mph after all. I was doing well with the tailwind and brought my average up to 19.4, and climbing! But then my back really started to ache as I got to Key Wallace, and I had to get out of aero a lot. I watched my average drop, and it stayed at 19.1. It was a gamble and I almost completely fell apart. I didn't have enough nutrition in me (should have had my half PBJ sandwich) and I didn't have enough miles after recovery. Now I was in jeopardy of a miserable run. However, my absolute favorite part is flying down Somerset into the park, and that rejuvenated me.

I took my time sitting down, took off my shoes, put on my socks and running shoes, took my ponytail out and put it where I like it, on my head, grabbed my visor, swallowed 2 enduralytes, and was off with some gatorade. Amazing, b/c my T2 is always faster than my T1. Guess thats what happens when you don't wear a wetsuit.

The goal was only to slog along as many run miles as possible. When I needed to walk, it would happen and I would be ok with it. I told my friends, see you in 3 hours and off I ran. I met some great people along the way, pet several dogs, ran through sprinklers. I had the best cheering crowd, this family that asked my name then screamed "Go Amy, Go Amy, Go Amy!" for several minutes--awesome! Seeing so many friends on the course, and friends that were spectating, just wow. The best conversation I had was with Carlos. He was running along, and I asked him, wanna walk a few minutes?" He said, "nope, I need to keep running, if I start walking, I won't be able to run again, so I just need to keep this pace." That made totally change my thinking. No walking. Just walk the water stops and drink everything I wanted, then run. I trotted along, and managed to run THE WHOLE WAY. This girl that hadn't ran over 8.3 miles managed an extra 5! Thanks Carlos! It worked! I took 2 more salt pills at the turn around--did I really get to the halfway point? Yes! Along the way, I had some memorable moments. I got a hug from Ken, a cartwheel from the spectator extraordinaire Lisa who chased us with Ryan toting a cowbell on her bike during the entire run, spotted my friends Tom, Shelly, Irina, Vicki, Scott, and Scott out on various spots of the course. I even diverted off the course when I spotted a Bernese Mountain dog (my favorite!!) getting brushed in the front yard. I just had to say hi...then had to climb the 5 foot ditch out of the front yard to get back onto the run course.

At this point, I was pretty dizzy if I looked up. So I looked down at the road, and trotted along. When someone yelled to me "less than a quarter mile!" I started choking up. Made myself pull it together, since I didn't want to be a blubbering, hyperventilating idiot at the finish. Sprinting down the line, high-fived everyone along the way, and at the finish line got my medal and sobbed. So happy. So so so happy. My body held it together.

After I took a moment alone to get myself together, I made it back to the tent. Just had to sit since I was so sore and tired. Brad got me some fries, which is exactly what I needed! I chatted with one of my former students, who is a sister to one of my competing friends. Small world! Watched and waited for everyone else to finish, then got all my stuff to the car and got some more french fries! Yum, Arbys!


This was not my best race, I was limited by my ability to train. However, I was really pleased with my performance. Under 7 hours? 6:14. Do as close to 20 as I possibly could? 19.1. Not bad for just having a month to bike. I even actually had FUN on the run. Overall, a big win for me. And if you see the look on my face at the finish, well, it pretty much sums it up. I love this race, and I'll be back again!