When I looked at the course as a whole I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach-LOL- like ..ok sheer terror time to just say no, quit, nada, go home..now!you have NO business here !Think I freaked out c2 by admitting I was terrified.Saw JP can who was , I realized by his deer in the headlights look & inability to speak..just as panicked as I was..which, surprisingly made me realise..we can and WILL do this.
Plan for swim was slow/ steady conserve energy & survive.Longest continuous swim this year was less than half mile so no thoughts of swimming freestyle or racing the distance.I got out of the water with GREAT relief & smiling- and not feeling spent...objective met. Swim done.

Actually swim train.

I was starving when I got to my bike! Lady next to me offered me a banana & it was the BEST!Took my time here..sat down on Sherpa c2's bucket (thanks!)..& got the suit off,sox & shoes on, swig of water & helmet& shades,race belt.picked up some great Bt vibes from DZ & Denise at the fence (thanks!).walked not ran- to mount ..this day was NOT about fast transitions!

have my own banana & a sports drink ready, in future need faster shoes (mine have a buckle)probably trim the bottom of my suit to make for faster off..

Started the bike with Jorge's advice to stay low HR zone & steady to save for the run..in my ear..which ,admittedly, was tough! I felt good- wanted to go -and all those ladies who got out of the water ahead of me I know I can catch! but..stuck to cruise /comfort /fun speed..had 2 bottles of powerade,3 bars to get me thru,tried the bottle xchange for the 1st time 7 took plain water that I had about 1/3rd of in addition. This seemed to be just about right tho I think at last h20 xcg if I had taken a gel or bar would have carried me hru to the run..next time .Didn't have to pee so felt like fluids were on track.I thoroughly enjoyed the course & ride..made myself hold back when tempted to pass or push,spun uphill & coasted downhill..Got a big boost from BT contingent on the first loop-DZ, Denise..you made me laugh out loud & go faster than I should for a few miles- second loop I focused on staying with the plan-eat/drink & tried not think that there was still gonna be over 2 hours to run after 60 miles on the bike!
Got another boost seeing Kathy G & Patty on the bike in..THANKS!

Not a lot. Goal was to finish without injury-to do this had to go easy on the bike.hopefully next half I can actually race on the bike.
Annoying clanging & threat of falling off of my 2nd bike cage- hadn't realised it was loose..

Again, speed not the priority- wanted to go out on the run prepared to settle in for the distance. Took time putting shoes on, took a half a gel,had powerade & 2 gels in running belt ..mentally took stock-not feeling too bad!

Not much for this race..another gel ..but for future, obviously would have "raced" the bike & had faster t2.

Plan was again to settle in for a steady comfortable pace & to walk the water stops at least til 10 mile marker. I tooke a gel & h20 after 5 min, then followed plan at each stop to walk & poured water on my head & down my shirt & a took sip. Took gels at 1 & 2 hour , sipped the 20 0z of powerade.
First mile felt ok, but at 1.5 miles got serious & intense cramp right hamstring/back of thigh that stopped me. kneaded it out, sipped powerade, stretched & then started to limp/walk until eased enough to jog. Thankfully did, and was able to continue on, with the only other real tightening last 2 miles-felt then lke calves could seize up at any time, .Had a boost from a spectator (set up by c2!)somewhere out there calling me by name & encouraging me which made me smile even more Was careful to stay on track with the powerade & sucked the salt of of pretzels at the aid station.Stayed focused-pee stop about half way..Despite the overall effort & the discomfort of the piriformis thing etc I was so jazzed -really from the point of the cramp recovery onward -that I must have been grinning like a fool!Approaching mile 10 I began to be convinced that I really could finish this thing..and that was a most AWESOME feeling..and the last mile was pure joy ..just so thrilled & grateful to be here!Coming to the finish ...BT high fives- seeing the clock..it doesn't get any better than this...

Again, for this race-nothing beside having more e-lytes /salt on board..was just looking to go the distance and not end up with worse injury issues.

Slow walk- major emily hug- Happy Dance with c2 (you ROCK!)hugs from the BT Posse-Kathy G, May, Denise, DK, JP can, Jorge (pro all the way!)...Chris (way to SMOKE the couse-congrats!)waited what seemed like FOREVER shivering for a massage-but it was SO worth it- I KNOW I would have been in much more pain after without it.Thanks again to most awesome sherpa/cheerleader C2 who packed up my stuff while I was wwaiting for massage..then listened to the tunes & had a bite to eat & drink, back to the car for a cold BEAH to celebrate FIRST HALF IRON..WOO HOO!!!


No excuses here. But i WILL be faster next time!


Elated to have accomlished this leap to long course-Grateful for BT friends support to do so. This race -at this time- was extremely important to me.Happy, HAPPY Dance. I am a lucky girl.

As far as the inaugaural Patriot Half Iron goes- I have nothing but praise for the event and the organizers & would highly recommend it. The venue & course was beautiful & accurate, the bike course change for safety reasons (making it 60 vs 56 miles!) was necessary & well done, the mile markers & aid stations on both the bike & run were excellent , the transitions, the swim, the atmosphere, the post race food & music, awards, & support,prerace expo,seminar,registration, goody bags all very,very good.Kudos & Thanks to Race director for making the Patriot a destination race.
For those who waded through this race report..thanks for reading..if I had written it the day after it would have been even longer & more detailed! This race was one of those "defining experiences" for me..no apologies for that. I am STILL smiling!!!