Admitted afterwards how scared I was about the temps & SIPE. Was so relieved in the first hundred yards to realize it just wasn't going to happen. Wetsuit was too big, and had calf sleeves on to prevent some of the water flow through the ankles, and to help stay warm, and it helped. Also wore insulated cap under race cap. I just don't push it in the swim - definitely didn't this race, and someday would like to see just how fast I can go on a swim leg, but was happy enough just to finish ambulatory & breathing.

I obviously wasn't in much of a hurry! was hard to pull on clothes over wet suit, lol, and especially when I was foolish enough to put on socks before pants, and then had to dance around to try to keep socks dry in the mud while donning pants & shoes! Hands were so cold, and wet despite toweling, couldn't get my gloves on. Had running gloves under my bike gloves, and had them stowed that way hoping it would speed things up, but couldn't get them on cold wet hands that way, so had to take them apart, turn them right side out, etc.... made for a slow, bumbly transition. Then of course had to take time to respond to the cheering crowds with comments about the pants, and to celebrate with family being able to walk out of this swim!

not a damn thing

Of course the bike time includes stops to chat with club member snapping photos, and crew at the last water stop. :)

Such a fun ride - I was wearing my crazy psychedelic bike pants, and of the gazillion cyclists that passed me, 99% of them - and the police and volunteers - seemed to have a comment about the pants, so it was a blast to spend 32 miles bantering with just about everyone I saw. Was OK with my slow pace, just doing my thing, and so happy to be able to be out there. Lost all feeling in my toes early on, which didn't worry me except for the few minutes when I think I couldn't move them, either. Was wearing L/S nylon shirt & the pants over my tri suit, regular socks, covers on the shoes, under amour cap under the helemet, and running gloves under bike gloves.

I knew that my chain was nearing the end of its lifespan, which made shifting a challenge, but think the shifter itself went out completely for the big ring for the last 2-3 miles. Fortunately there weren't any real hills left, just rollers, so I could get through well enough.

Cold made it tough to get my legs going, but they felt surprisingly strong running into T2. Was good about remembering to drink, and went through a couple of bottles on the bike.

Nothing. Train more lol!

I don't remember a race ever where I didn't feel wobbly & able to run well into T2, but I felt great yesterday - go figure! Ran in, and had a bit of a chinese fire drill with some bonehead's bike & gear in my slot - volunteers were pretty quick about taking my bike and took care of it all after I left. Didn't help that others before me just put their stuff wherever, only compounding the mess.

I felt so strong running out of T2 - that's never happened before. Actually felt like running (clearly was feverish after all). Hooked up with a couple of Team Fight buddies early on and ran with them the whole course - one said she hadn't trained, needed to walk breaks, and so I hung with her. Was a novel treat for me to feel like the stronger runner for a change. She kept telling me to run ahead, but this is also the same teammate who kept waiting for me on the brick a couple of weeks ago, since I was slow & didn't know the route, so there was no way I wasn't going to hang with her. Was such a treat for me anyway, to have someone to run & chat with, and it made for a surprisingly easy run. Regained feeling in my toes around mile 3, so that was an added perk!

remember to stretch more pre-race!

once again, princess worked the finish line and was there with a huge grin, "GO MOM!" and my medal. Love that!! Spouse was nearby with his camera, as usual too, which is also such a treat - love, love, love that they're there for me.

got a post-race massage, but got a pretty lame therapist. oh well.


gravity, gene pool, and training.


What's not to love? Incredible organization and cause - the schmaltz and warm fuzzies were blanketing the event, and our neon yellow Team Fight/UCF colors were everywhere. I'm clearly biased, because I love this group. Very emotional day, but not as many tears as I'd expected. Survivors, in yellow caps and race bibs lead the way, as it should be. LOVED the inspirational mile with all the signs about why we fight, what "half full" means. Great reality check and inspiration early in the run to help us all remember why we're there.

Post-race walked back about a mile or 2 looking for a teammate who was doing the HIM and cramped up on the run from the beginning. So nice to see I wasn't the only one as we picked up a few others on the way, to get him to his little girl who'd been patiently waiting in the drizzle to run through the finish chute with him. Perfect ending to the day.

Hurt all over within a few hours - even my chest was hurting from breathing all the cold air - but have absolutely no regrets about having signed up for the full 70 HIM next year - will be my 50th bday weekend, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate, or a finer group to spend it with.