The End

So the race is over.  It was amazing.  Time was 1:46:37, 14 minutes better than my personal goal.  8:31 swim, which was amazing and seemed over so quick. 
We had dinner at the Olive Garden the night before and then just hung out in the room.  I hardly slept that night between my nerves and the anxiety.  Got up early Saturday morning with all kinds of feelings running through my body.  Left about an hour before race time.  When we pulled in the park I couldn't believe the amount of cars.  It was overwhelming at that point.  When I got into the park and saw everything going on it was really overwhelming.  In a good way.  Got body marked right away and then headed to the transition area to set up. As I am setting up my spot I look up and see Tanya and Danyell standing there which sent me over the edge for the 1st time.  Had no idea they were coming down to watch.  My entire family was there and waited with me before the race started.  It was high energy.  People were warming up in the water, some were on their bikes and others were just having a short job.  Me I was nervous enough.   
About 10 minutes before my heat was called I headed down to the water.  Started up a conversation with a couple of other ladies to pass the time.  Finally they called my number and it was my turn to line up.  My heart at this point was coming out of my chest.  Goggles on, nose plugs on and she counts us down.   Into the water I go, staying to the back of the pack.  I couldn't get my rhythm right away.  There was some hitting and kicking going on.  Nothing that really made me panic.  I knew what I had to do.  I got wedged in behind two people that I couldn't get around until about 3/4 of the way through.  It seemed as soon as I found my rhythm I was getting kicked by the guy in front of me or hit by the lady next to me.  But overall the swim was exhilarating.   
Out of the water to T1.  I was a little shaky, still nervous.  Grabbed the bike and I was off.  Time to settle in to the ride.  Now we had driven the bike route the night before and it was very hilly.  I was a bit worried about it.  So I hit the road, first hill comes along not so bad.  Down the other side and it was fast.  This went on for the next 13 miles.  My bike time was 1:02.  I passed some people and people passed me.  I surprised myself because most of the people I passed were on a hill.
So back to the park and into T2.  This was a bit quicker.  Not much to change except the shoes.  This run was tough.  I should have been more afraid of the run than the swim.  It was hot.  The sun was behind the clouds until it was time for the run and there it was the whole time.  I did have to walk a few times just to catch my breath.  It was a bit humid as well.  I was so happy to see the 1 mile mark written on the blacktop.  Time to enter the park for the final stretch and I had to tell myself don't cry yet cause you will hyperventilate and not be able to breathe.  So tough it out and hold on.  I see the finish line come into sight and it was the best feeling in the world.  I see my dad standing there looking for high five with my husband and who am I not to celebrate.  So high fives to everyone.  Across the finish line and the amount of relief I felt to stop was great.  The open the water works!!  Tammy first, then my dad, then my mom, then Sherry , then April, Trevor, Taylor, Tanya, Danyell, Gracie and Craig.  What better way to celebrate an accomplishment like that then to have your entire family there to cheer you on the entire way. 
Would I do it again?  Yes.  The training is time consuming but obviously worth it cause I finished with no problems.  Would I do a longer one?  Probably not.  But I would trade this experience for anything in the world.

Last Week

Its finally here the last week of training.  I can't believe the race is 5 days away.  I am so darn emotional about this whole process.  Knowing where I started a few months ago in the pool and seeing where I am now is mind blowing.  Running is still not my favorite sport, but I can't believe how far I have come.  I wonder what I will do when this is all over and I have extra time on my hands?  No more planning on where I am going to be or what I need to be doing.  My body is tired and ready for this to happen.  My bike to run transition is pretty quick.  At least it should be I have been practicing it the last 5 weeks during every brick.  Tonight I will run through both and then Thursday i will swim and then actually go out and bike.  So here are my goals:  swim--15 min.,  bike--1hr. 15 min, run--35 min.  I would like to be able to do this right around the 2 hour mark.  The weather looks decent so far.  I hope for calm water that morning.