Still standing

I hit T2 and I’m so happy, rack my bike, stash my bike jersey, find a volunteer to apply sunscreen to my back and head to the potty. (Hey, when you’ve been pregnant as many times as I have your bladder has suffered enough abuse and refuses to be ignored!) As I head out on the run I look at my fellow runners and listen to their groans and pants. After the solitude of the bike I realize I’m not too excited to be hanging out with these people for the next two hours. I want to run my own race and not be tempted to run someone else’s like the guy in front of me. He is determined not to be passed by a girl so he takes off and 50 yards along he’s walking. Later dude.

I am so happy to be off the bike and to know I’m going to finish I’m floating! I’m also passing a lot of people, mostly walkers but a few runners. The aid stations are loaded like an all you can eat buffet, for people who consider ice, sponges and gels consumables. And despite the fact I’m not lacking for fluid or calories I can’t help myself. One guy even has my much desired Raspberry Cream Power Gel, so I grab it and decide to save it for mile 6. Wow, mile 3 already? Sweet. I see Alicia up ahead and decide I’m going to try and catch up, gradually. One aid station is playing 2 Legit 2 Quit and I find myself doing a little happy dance. I make it through the clover leaf run, three short out and backs and know I’m heading for the “Road to Hell” and it earned its name but on the positive side I start seeing people I know, Amy and Erick aka Wonder Woman and Superman are there cheering everyone on. I see Michelle A, Marcy and Gwen on the run. While I was on the bike I was convinced everyone was already done and enjoying post race massages. It was comforting to know there were others out there still suffering with me.

And then it’s mile 10. I have a brief moment of doubt when I realize I have never done more then 10 miles in my training. I recently changed my running form and had to start at 0 and build my mileage up from the beginning. It was tough but well worth it. So I did a quick mental check, feet felt fine, legs, gut, IT band was a little tight but not painful in the least, bladder. Dang. The power of suggestion. Just the fact that there was a port a potty on the course was enough for me to have to stop. And yes, this is my 4^th trip but I’m almost there. So I head for home, no more stopping, no more grazing, just running. And I’m passing people. People walking, jogging and running. And then it’s the last mile and I’m sprinting! (When I looked at my official race photos later, I literally have both feet off the ground in each picture.) I see the water, the bridge and finally the end. Its been 6 hours and 45 minutes. 4 minutes faster than the Tupper Lake Half Ironman I did in 2003. I’m done! Jason and the girls meet me with a big hug and kiss and then Hannah immediately has a tantrum. I just look at him and we agree they should just go back to the condo. I grab my finishers t-shirt (a medium since all the smalls were collected an hour ago- seriously why do they always run out of smalls at races?) my food, said a quick hello to everyone and walked back to the condo to bask in the sheer joy of being done!

I don’t know if I’ll do Honu again, especially if I re-read this blog before registering but it was an amazing day and I am grateful for all the triathletes who trained with me (Camp Bennett), guided me, lent me gear (thank you Marcy!!), answered my questions and calmed my nerves! I’m especially grateful for my husband who supports me (emotionally, mentally, financially and physically) and encourages me. He also does a wonderful job of holds down the fort so I can train. Thank you for continuing to make all my dreams come true.