^{PLACE & TIME:}  Troy 63rd - 4:59:08;

Robin 11th - 5:07:58*

Previous PRs or Personal Records:

      Troy - 4:19, '00

(Black - Robin; Blue - Troy)

t's still dark out in Oceanside. Robin's enjoying her first cup of coffee in 2 weeks. Anna is at Grammy's in Santa Clarita.  We're assembling our equipment in a parking lot near the pier when 2 of our bike tires pop. Under the dim glow of a street light, we change the flats, swing on our gear bags, and pedal to the transition site of the California Ironman 70.3 triathlon about to start in 1 hour.

Even though I'm nervous about the 13 mile run because I haven't gone that far in a year, it's great getting ready for the race because Robin makes it fun. She gets ready fast, she has a great attitude (even with 2 flats already) and she's so excited for us both to be doing a race together. Robin somehow found the Rocky theme song to play on our drive over. It gets ya going, especially when Robin's doing shadow boxing to the beat!

The transition is huge! Rows and rows of bikes. An hour before starting isn't enough. We barely find room to rack our bikes. I jog around the transition. Find a secret porta-potty. Eat my Powerbar. And stretch. Thousands of bodies anxiously getting ready for the next 5-7 hrs of racing. Suddenly they all stop moving.. it's the National Anthem. There's so much more to do, but we all stop for respect of our country and those that died for it.

As I fuss over my gear I notice that people have stopped moving.  It's the National Anthem.  I stand up and put my right hand over my heart as I did as a kid in school.   I'm moved by the respect.  At a lot of races people don't always stop.  I think about my brother, Matt, who is off to Iraq next month.  I am grateful and in awe at the sacrifice he and others are making and will continue to make.

The pros are already racing and we're being told to clear the area and get into our wave groups. I can't believe 1 hr is no longer adequate for setting up for these big races. It takes 10min just to walk through all the competitors to find your swim wave. I barely make it to the front where the directors tell me "hurry up, your wave is about to go." I get my cap and goggles on and then am motioned into the water. Oh, this is going to sting! Hey, it's not that bad.. the harbor seems warmer than the ocean temps we imagined. I swim to the start buoys, let some water into my wetsuit so it's easier to swim, and hit my watch at 45 seconds to go. I focus on God. I try to fix something scratching my neck. Then I hear an anti-climatic, "Ok, you're going" from the announcer. I guess the gun didn't work so we just kind of started swimming. I'm way off to the right. Makes for nice easy swimming. But I know to go fast I need to get into the draft. But it's so nice out here.. alone. Finally I try to stay with a guy. He's swimming crooked. My wetsuit is chafing my neck. It hurts and is going to leave a mark. But I gotta ignore it or it will change my form and slow me down. I don't feel it anymore.. maybe it's the effect of cold water.

We round the turn. The guy is now behind me slapping my feet. We round the next turn and wham!, the sun is right in our eyes. I stop and look up and still can't see where to go. So I just swim towards the sun. It's unnerving thinking you might be swimming the wrong direction.. 1.2 miles is already a long way! I bump into people because I can't see them. Finally I can see buoys again and head towards the ramp. They help us out on the sharp asphalt. I hit my watch and reach for my zipper strap. I can't find it and just keep running. Finally I realize the volunteers already unzipped it for me. Wetsuit doesn't come off well. Long run to the bike. Feet hurt on the hard pavement.

The nice thing is that it’s not raining today like the last few years.  It’s bright and sunny as I make my way to the water.  The sun should make the bike ride a lot more comfortable.  I’ve heard the water temperature is 60 degrees today.  This is much better than the sub-60 temps from the last few years that have caused a lot of hypothermia.  There is no warming up allowed to acclimate to the cold water because we are swimming in a marina that's restricted.  As soon as the previous wave goes, we swim over to the starting line.  We are the last women to go.  As I swim over, I don’t feel very smooth but I’m hopeful that I might feel better as I get going.  Troy should be finishing right about now.  Lord, be with him.

Ready, set, go!  The horn goes off and around 87 of us all take off in our blue caps.  After a few hits to the body from some flailing arms I find my rhythm and tuck in behind a group of girls.  The water is a little choppy and it’s hard to see the course buoys.  Several times I find myself almost swimming into them.  Thank you Lord for not letting the cold be a major factor! 

At the bike I put on arm warmers for a first time. But should've rolled them up first.. so hard to pull on wet skin! I hobble out with my bike. Between my sore left Achilles heal and the sore right plantar wart, it's really hard to run. I still don't know how I'll do 13 miles later.. It's always good to be on the bike. The morning air is cold and I'm so glad Robin suggested I wear these arm warmers! Around the sharp turn behind the building I see a cyclist, that crashed, being attended by spectators. The ambulance is coming. I feel bad for him, thinking of sliding on pavement with chilled skin. He'll be ok. My Powerbar drops out of my pocket. I'm supposed to pick up anything I drop but a lot of bikes are going fast through this area.. I choose to leave it. I feel like I'm riding well enough. Trying to save energy for the hills. Roads aren't crowded. Still feeling cold.. except for arms. I want to average 21mph so I need 22mph on this flat half, followed by 20mph on the hilly half. After 24mi I finally get up to 22mph and then we turn into the Christianitos Gate of Camp Pendleton where the hills begin.. immediately my average drops.. 21.5, 21, 20.5, 20! It makes me think of "respect", something that takes years to get, but can be lost in a matter of minutes. I press on. I think about good climbing rhythm. I think about "spinning" my legs. We hit the BIG hill. Wow, I don't remember it being this hard. I have to stand much more often. I'm huffing and puffing really hard. I guess harder than those around me because a rider up ahead turns and says, "why don't you blow the house down". I say, with a smile, "I'm just trying to get oxygen". Besides my average speed, something else changes quickly... I'm now hot instead of cold. After climbing 700ft and a few more rollers we get to sail down to sea level. I say happily, "Only one more hill!" and hear someone else say, "You're forgetting the head-wind awaiting us".

It's true, the last 10 miles of the race are right into the ocean breeze. This descent is critical for getting my speed back up to 21mph so I tuck and spin as fast as I can. It's a beautiful day! The hills are green and the sky blue, and we're doing 38mph through a military base. I think about Robin and how important each race is this year in her 1 big attempt to qualify. I pray that she is feeling great and riding well and if she is to suffer a flat tire, that it could be given to me instead.

As soon as I'm on the bike, my legs feel great and ready to go!  However, my body is cold I find myself shivering on the flats and downhills for the first 45 minutes on the bike.  I'm not letting it get me down.  I keep talking to God and thanking Him for this wonderful day!  Every time I see a hill, I'm so excited because I know it's going to warm me up.  This ride is a privilege.  We get to explore Camp Pendleton and enjoy all the untouched nature within.  It's also a privilege to be on the same grounds our fine Marines are trained on to protect us from harm.  I'm constantly reminded of the sacrifices being made as I go along.  At each aid station are Marines handing out drinks and food...how great!  I want to stop and thank them for their service!

After the chill is gone, the legs are still doing great despite a high-volume week of riding!  Thanks Lord!  I know the great massage Laura Schuster gave me is helping too!  The first big hill comes and goes.  Not bad, I think there is one more major hill.  Wrong!  After the next 4 hills or so I'm ready for the flats. What a change from the beginning!  I'm nice and warm now.  My legs are hanging in there and I'm really enjoying the ride.  Even in the last 10 miles, I'm not getting bored.  Thanks God for this total gift to have a good ride and enjoy it too!  I'm finally on the flats and not having to fight a head wind...nice!  I haven't seen anyone in my age group (30-34) and I'm wondering where they are.  These girls out here that I do see are looking good.  Lots of these women look like they're 30...then you see their age on their calf.. 45.. 50!  It's awesome the great shape these gals are in!

Once we reach the flats I've only gotten up to 20.8mph. I don't know how I'll increase it with the headwind but I keep up hope and bear down to try. Then I notice the wind isn't bad! And I'm increasing my speed. Thank you, Lord :) I'm up to 21mph... "I'm gonna do it!" I think. Sometimes it drops below but then I'm able to get it back. Into the last twisty sections I make a great 180 degree turn, in the aerobars, using the whole road to keep my speed up. Sure enough, in the final stretch, my average is still at 21mph! We dismount in the transition area and try to run on stiff legs.

Running out of T2 is barely more than a walk for me. Wow, am I sore from that ride. But, amazingly, my foot doesn't hurt! I immediately thank God for that and plug onward. My goal today is to break 5hrs. But I lost time on the swim and now need a 1:40 1/2 marathon. I do the math... that's about 7:45 pace!  I had considered 8min pace to be my best for today. After the first mile, my legs loosen up a little. Sure enough, each mile feels better. I'm averaging about 7:55 pace but it's hard.  I notice as I focus on God and try to sing worship songs in my head, I'm feeling better and better. I see Coach Muddy Waters and tell him I feel better each time I go by. He's supportive but I can tell he knows I'm not placing high today. Even though I'm running 8's today, compared to times he's cheered me on at sub 7's, I still feel just as excited. I haven't been able to run like this without stopping in training. It's amazing! And God is so awesome!

I realize in the last few bike miles that I never switched my orthotics from my training shoes to my racing shoes. Not a big deal...God I know You're in control and my race will still be good.  I'll attempt to change my orthotics over and abort if it gets too difficult.  I'm now riding out of Camp Pendleton and heading to the finish.  I want to make it under 2:50 if possible. I come in at 2:50:22.  Once in the transition area, we all have to ride a narrow path to our spots...no passing here! 

As soon as I rack my bike (put my bike on a stand), I try to switch the orthotics.  It's taking too long... abort!  I quickly throw on my training shoes instead and run out with my hat, Hammer Gel (liquid food) and race number in hand.  My race number has fallen off my race belt so I tuck it into my shorts.  Not very comfortable but it will at least stay on.  My legs feel amazing!  Thanks God!

I figure out that Robin should be starting the run and I should see her as I finish my first lap. I pray that she may be on pace and feeling good.

It's a beautiful day!  This is a two loop course and we get to run along a frontage road next to the beach four times...nice.  That means I should be able to see Troy a few times (=  Within the first mile I have my eyes peeled for Troy.  Suddenly, the sea of racers parts and there he is coming from the other direction!

Right at the spot I expect her, I see the bright yellow FCA-E (Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Endurance) jersey and her hands above her head and then smiling at me telling me I'm doing great and how happy she is for me.

We both throw our arms up in the air in excitement!  We give each other fives and some special encouragement.

Wow, that was awesome!

The first 3 miles are fast (7:15 pace) and I feel great.  Lord, please help my legs continue to feel good.  Most of the course is on concrete and that tends to beat you up after a while.  I've passed a few girls in my age-group but I'm not seeing many more.  Coming the other way I see a familiar face, Megumi Masuda.  She's from the bay area and wins a lot of local races.  She's a fast one!  That means she's might be winning my age group...it's hard to tell.

I'm reminded of an idea at a Christian tri camp (ICTN) I attended in January.  In one clinic, we talked about ways to focus on God in our races.  One idea was to pray for someone different each mile.  For the next mile I'm praying for my brother and his family.  He's going to Iraq in a couple of weeks with the Navy special forces.  This is the last week, for a while, that they all get to spend together.  I pray it's special! 

I make the turn and start lap #2 of the run. Again I calculate pace and now I need 7:35's! As difficult as it seems, I have even more hope. I push onward, focusing on form and working my arms to make up for my weak foot. I pour water on my head, eat GU's. At 8mi I stop and stretch my heel/foot, but then run faster to make up for it. At each mile I try to recalculate what I need but the news isn't getting better. I see Robin again, she's always smiling and cheering for me even though she knows she has to take 10 min off her previous best here. It's easy to see she's an athlete with her priorities straight. I know she'd rather be reduced to walking, than finish a race in first place focused on just herself. At 2 mi to go I only have about 14-15min left! I push harder than ever and actually feel like I'm really running rather than the shuffling I normally do. I maximize the little downhill to the Strand along the beach. I tuck in behind a faster taller runner and draft for 1/2 mile. He pulls away. Everything's sore and tired now. But I pray that I can hurt more if Robin can hurt less. She's always fallen back in this 2nd lap before, but she's worked on her running a lot to "beat this course" this year. In the same spot, I see Robin again! She's right on track! I tell her I think I'm going to do it, too. She's so happy. It's an answer to prayer. I have a mile to go. I give it everything. Every other stride I mumble "Thank you, Lord" as I cruise by the spectators lining the course. I finish, look down, and begin to tear up when I see 4:59 on my watch. "Lord, you are so great to me even as faulty as I am. I don't know how you did that but thank you for being so close to me, for the close relationship, it means so much". It's hard to explain the joy I feel. It's been the times when I had to rely on the Lord the most that I feel the most love. It makes me give Him more of my focus and faith in the weeks following. Finishing today's race was like coming back from a 3 day Christian retreat. Triathlon sometimes gets a bad rap for being over-encompassing, but it, like anything tough, can be used by God to bring us closer to Him, and being closer to Him puts everything in balance.

The next 3 miles goes a bit slower.  I'm at 7:27 pace.  Not bad.  The good news I've completed one loop and only one more to go(=  It feels like I'm going faster because I'm passing people but I think we are all slowing down as a whole.  I see Troy on my way back.  I find myself zoning in and out and my prayers have been a little more sporadic.  I wonder if I'll see Dave T.  I come up on Peggy McDowell-Cramer.  She looks great!  She has only one other woman in her age group and hopes to get first so she can have a spot for the Hawaii Ironman.

The next 3 miles is 7:28 pace.  Pretty consistent but these miles are getting harder to click off.  As the discomfort and fatigue takes it's toll, I start praying for those who are in pain in life.  Mile 11 is dedicated to Susie Ferry who is battling breast cancer.  I think about how the chemo has been hard for her and I ask for healing for her.  Mile 12 is dedicated to Al Hawker who is battling cancer too.  His heart has been weakened and he's had failed transplants.  I pray for his healing.  Mile 13 is dedicated to my brother and Jesus.  I pray for his safety and ask the Lord to bring him home safe.  I think about how Jesus suffered on the cross.  This pain doesn't compare! 

In the last mile a guy running along side me says that the statement "Powered by Christ" on my FCA-E jersey is inspiring.  He says someone with that on must be good to team up with.  I tell him the Lord will get us both to the end.  As we round the last corner, the guy starts his kick.  I muster all the energy I have to make a sprint to the finish.  As I come down to the last few yards I shout out "Thank You Jesus!".  He gets the glory!  If it wasn't for Him this race wouldn't have been possible.  I see Troy waiting for me and I run over to him.  We hug and praise God together.  The guy who ran in with me comes up to thank me and tell Troy how he was helped.  This is what it is all about Lord!  It's all about You!

Kirk's Bike and Finish

Dave's Swim, Bike & Finish

James' Bike & Finish

Peggy's Swim, Bike & Run