I didn't know how the start truly went off. I heard time trial, but I thought we were all just walking in first. My fault for not clearing it up. I slacked on that info! I also didn't even bother looking at the course. Oops. I was doing this race for fun, so I just didn't pay attention to details. Needless to say I was surprised that we went into the water and just took off. Took me about 10 seconds to realize that.

The course was nice, until we made the last turn. They had the buoys way off to the middle, which didn't make sense to me b/c I knew where the boat ramp exit was. So, I was hugging the shore like most folks. And like most folks, I ended up in the lily pads! The two orange buoys at the end were confusing. We were supposed to go through them, but one buoy drifted. kInd of dangerous b/c there was a concrete boat ramp that should be marked in my opinion.

Anyways, swim was just ok. I tried to swim hard, but with my shoulder still being an issue (I got an MRI the day before! don't know results yet), I can't pull too hard with it.

Know the course!

long long long transition! Up a road, which hurt my feet (I still have tender feet from my blisters just healing!) and drying off, putting on socks (which I never wear in races), arm warmers, bike gloves (again, I never wear in races) and a shirt.

nothing. It was a cold, rainy day. Not much you can do! My legs and toes were cold, but I don't have waterproof cold gear.

Imagine my surprise that I was first in my age group with THIS time!! I felt awful the whole bike ride. My legs were dead asleep. Not dead, but not awake, not until about an hour into the ride. Toes were quickly numb, and it was hard to pedal up hills!

There were a lot of beginners on the course. I had twice people coming from the left of the course (they were stopped and for some reason on the wrong side of the road) and were trying to merge onto the course in front of me on a hill. One time I had a girl wobble right into me going up hill. Plus I saw several odd crashes, where people just fell over.

I didn't go hard, I couldn't. I hadn't been training hills at all, just doing intervals on the flat or trainer. Plus it was hard to get around people when they were timid and going slowly down hills.

I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to stop. It was just foolish to me to be out there, risking getting sick when my season should have been over. But since this was for cancer, I decided that I'd use that as my inspiration, and pray to my family and friends that have succumbed to cancer. I just reminded myself that as much as this sucked, its not nearly as bad as chemotherapy. Perspective really helps.

Oh!! the coolest part? Going right by my barn where I grew up riding I'm by myself, in my own little world. I hear "Good Morning!" and WHOOOOSH. Totally was Lance Armstrong just going by!! I screamed, "Oh hi! Lance!" and giggled like a school girl. I'm not a Lance apologist, and I was ambivalent all week about him being there. That being said, man, it really was a thrill to have him pass me. And now I can say, I was only passed by a few, and one of those guys was Lance Armstrong!

Warm up pre race!!! I'm just not used to racing short distances. It took me a good hour to feel like I was cycling.

couldn't.feel.feet.

That about sums it up! took the time to wipe off my feet and put on dry socks. Took off gloves, shirt, left on arm warmers. Got a hug from my friend Cathy and said hi to Kathy and Drew, and off I tried to run on my stumps for feet.

Well its funny to start when all you feel are stumps! I asked some people if I had feet. It was funny b/c one guy laughed and said, "only one!". I of course said, "oh poop. Must have left the other in transition." It was that kind of run.

I decided that since running is not a friend of mine, I was going to set a goal to run the entire race (except for 6 steps or so at the water stops to drink). And I did it!!! I even skipped the last two stops. Some of the hills are steep, but I DID THEM ALL. I can't believe that I managed a 9:25 on the last 3.5 miles.

Favorite part: the signs along the run course stating who they were racing for. My favorite was one that said Diane's Boobies. :)


Another funny moment: one water stop was getting pizza delivered just as I came by. I shouted to them, "this is my favorite stop ever!! You guys have pizza!" they told me not until I was done, but they'd save me a piece. :)

Nothing! Running is NOT my strength, clearly. But I ran as hard as I could. I'm definitely proud of myself since this is a hilly course after a hilly bike.

Hung out with friends, changed into dry clothes. Got my bike and then waited for Lance to finish. Pretty cool!


training for the Oly distance as opposed to longer distances, and the cold!


very, very good race. Incredible swag. Great volunteers who were cheerful even in the rain and cold.

I only wish it were in July! October is just way too late for this race, its the third year of cold/rainy weather. However, in a way, it seems appropriate. We were suffering, and it pushed us to our limits, just like cancer does. It was a day when all had to dig deep and that I love.