Thoughts in a nutshell:
Swam like a snake for 1.2mi and nearly came out last for my age group
Swam in the lovely rainy weather
Ran from the swim exit downhill through mud to my bike and nearly fell
Then ran almost a quarter mile with my bike to the mount
Uphill at the end of that
Couldn't clip in because of mud in my cleats
4 miles uphill from the getgo
At mile 10 my hips, quads and calves burned
Seriously couldn't tell when I was going downhill or uphill
Hardest and longest climbs ever, definitely have not trained for that
Averaged suuuuuuppperrr slow speeds
My nose was running and I was shivering 75% of the ride from the rain
Brakes were rubbing and felt like I had a flat the whole time
Mile 35ish the rain stopped only for extreme humidity and heat to take over
Stopped to help a couple fix their bikes towards the end
Enjoyed the gorgeous views once the rain ended!
FInished the bike at 57 miles with a lovely uphill, again...
Came into the run strong, because i started on a downhill
Spent 75% of the run running uphill, at super low grades but for miles on end
Stopped at several aid stations due to severe dehydration with numbness
Calf muscles cramped from mile 7.5 to the finish
Had to run by chocolate milk AND food twice before getting to enjoy it
Stopped to motivate a couple walkers
Finished at a much slower time than normal, but felt awesome about it all
Spent well over 30 minutes in the massage tent with 3 people trying to uncramp my calf muscles and stop them from twitching, ouch!
HARDEST 70.3 ever, but hey, I am in Las Vegas, I just competed in the world championship race, I competed with the best in the world, I didn't get last, I helped people along the way, I probably ought to win the miss congeniality award and the most photogenic based off of cheering for everyone while running and smiling at every cameraman. I did it, I pushed myself to keep going when the going got tough, I was inspired by everyone there, I smiled through the hardest parts and I laughed at the pain/crazy weather. 6 hours later, I am severely sunburnt and my body is much worse for wear, but I couldn't be happier with toughing it out or feel more loved by my wonderful family and awesome friends, so glad to be a part of the Wolfpack and so so so grateful to be able to represent the USA at a world wide event. This is the first time, but there will be many more to come. I learned so much from this, and I am totally ready to finish my last two races these season and step it up next year Now, time to live it up in LAS VEGAS!!!!
