Ugh. It started with a spastic jump into the pool, "Do I jump out really far then start swimming from a dead stop or do I drop in and try to push off the wall?" I kinda did a jump-drop combo and got a crappy push off the wall.
The first 50 yds were good. Good rhythm, good breathing, not too shabby...the next 250 is where the shabbiness kicked in. I believe I got passed six times overall. Yeah, six. I didn't fight it, I just let them go at the wall. I felt pretty low by the end, thinking I ranked myself a wee bit high, but hey, I saw a guy in the first 50 swimmers walking the lanes, so I didn't do so bad!

No more excuses...get to the pool! Rank myself a little lower next time.

Okay. Here's where I'll have a mini rant. I have never been one to strap on my bib number for the bike portion. It bugs me and I just don't, okay? I'm running away from the rack and after about 50 feet, I hear 2 vounteers yell at me, "You forgot your race number!" I guess I should have ignored them (or maybe not), but I skidded to a stop on my cleats and angrily yelled back "I'll put it on for the run!" I kept running the 50 yards or so to the end of transition, when one of the head honchos stops me and informs me that I cannot leave T1 without my bib number. WHAT???? Split second thinking here: do I argue about how asinine that requirement is, do I drop the bike, do I run back, do I walk back and really screw up my time? I ran back and shooed away the nice volunteer that went to the wrong side of the rack to get my bib number. By this time I was really pissed off, spent 10 extra seconds trying to put the belt on behind my back, then finally spun it around and clipped it in front. I ran back to the mount line and jumped on my steed, completely flustered and out of breath.

I guess put my bib number on for the bike (robble robble).

Well, I was already pretty flustered from the T1 debacle, so I got into the bike frustrated and aggravated. The first 3 or 4 miles or so weren't too bad. Hilly, but manageable. The crosswinds and hills started about 5 miles into it. There were hardly any flats to get any relief from the climbs. To make matters worse, I decided to have a complete brain fart (more than once) and forget that I was climbing in the big chain ring. Where was my head???? The crosswinds were really bad on the way back. I felt sorry for anyone with discs because I was white-knuckling it the whole time! I think I was actually faster on the way in, just because I was so afraid of getting blown off the road that I wanted off that bike! I saw Haley running in during my last 1/2 mile and yelled and screamed like a banshee...GO GIRL!!!

More training.

Coasted into T2 and dismounted without a hitch. My rack was right near the entrance, so no worries there. Shoes on, race belt (already) on, and ran while putting on the hat. First sub-1:00 transition...woo hoo!!

nothing.

Started out fairly well, even though I don't always do well running through grass. Haley spotted me across the ballfields and had her screaming banshee moment. I pumped my fist and smiled away. There were a couple of really short, really steep climbs initally, so that bumped the HR up quick. I walked and ran about 50/50 for most of the run. I usually don't pick up the pace until the last 200 yards or so, but once I got to about 3/4 mile left to go, I started thinking about the people who couldn't race that day: my PawPaw, some of my patients. I thought about John, who tried to register for the race and it was sold out. I also thought about Aaron and my friend Becca, who both became 2x Ironmen the same day. I ran all the way in, smiled for the camera, did The Shocker for my 'Straps and finished!

Train harder.

GOD BLESS THE JOCKSTRAP!!!! John smuggled in some Shiner, so we stole some Gatorade cups from the aid station and poured us a couple...kinda tough pouring while keeping your hands inside the cooler to hide the hooch! Sat around, cheering the other racers in, and talking with the gang. Went to look up my times and HOLY CRAP!!! 3rd place Athena!!! I got a rock!!!


Lack of training the past 3 months, not reading my race packet to know I need my race number on the bike.


Good race. I made the comment after the race that I would never race an Ironhead Productions race again because the RD was so strict. Looking back now, that was just sour grapes about the race number thing. Jack runs a tight ship and the results are well-run, organized races for racers of various abilities where very few people get injured. Can't complain about that. Thanks again to my 'Straps!!! You guys are the BEST!!!!!!!