It's 6:45am and I'm biking 14 miles from Auburn to the start of the Granite Bay Duathlon.  It's a nice bike ride generally but this morning it's raining, windy and cold.  There is little traffic and the scenery is beautiful which makes up for the conditions.

I arrive at the transition area 15 minutes before the start of the Super Sprint Duathlon which is half the distance of my race.  I'm surprised that the transition area is only 25% full.  Tomorrow is the ICE Breaker Triathlon at the same site.  Most people must be doing that race.  Fewer people is good news for today’s bike course.  This means there will be less traffic on the wet roads.  The American River 50 ultramarathon is going on today, too.  We should be seeing those runners on part of our race course today.  50 miles is a long way!!!

The Wolfpack Tri Club of Morgan Hill is here.  It's nice to see something familiar while racing in a new town.  The Super Sprint Duathlon is about to go and a chilly wind picks up...tough conditions!  The race takes off with a 12 year old girl up in front.  Wow, she looks like she knows what she's doing!

Troy and Anna show up and I warm up with them.  Anna's so excited to be at another race!  There are so many people to watch and lots of doggies to meet!  This is a highlight of her day to be out here.  Too bad the weather isn't better.  It's still drizzling but the wind has slowed down.  This is good news.  The sprint Du is finishing and the 12 year old girl is the first female, finishing 6th out of 48 people!  Wow, that's impressive!

I reflect on this past week.  It’s been difficult emotionally and physically.  I've been discouraged by the many boxes that still need to be unpacked, the many hours of training that takes me away from Troy and Anna and the uncertainty of Troy's job situation.  This coupled with the lack of sleep and hormonal challenges has made it difficult to keep my focus on God and be joyful...I've been more focused on the negative and not on the wonderful blessings around me.  There have been many little moments though where Jesus reminds me that He is with me and encouraging me: a new found women's Bible study a neighbor takes me too; a visit by my Christian sister, Angela; feeling God protecting me on my bike; an intimate or silly moment with Anna; and even a chance to unpack a few boxes.

The rain subsides just before my race.  Thanks God!  It still is a bit cold so I decide to wear a t-shirt underneath my FCA jersey.  We line up and get ready.  It’s a 4 mile loop trail run, followed by a 13 mile double-out-and-back bike, finishing with the same 4 mile trail run.  My goal is to try to average 6:40 pace.  I haven't yet seen the entire run course hope that the ups and downs of the trails won't impact the pace much.  I wave to Anna and Troy and they wave back and smile...they sure look cold!

The gun goes off and 84 of us take off.  I see a girl go with the front pack of guys and I try to match her pace.  The pace is too fast so I back off a bit and just wait to see what happens.  My legs feel flat today but so far the course stays flat and it looks possible to keep this pace going.

The course is beautiful.  We wind our way around the outer edges of Folsom Lake.  Some of the downhill portions are tricky because of the uneven footing and narrow trails.  At one point I almost trip big time but am able to balance myself…thanks God for that!  Things are going great and I’m keeping the girl in site.  At about Mile 3 we hit a big hill and it’s tough.  At the top of the hill, I pass the girl and we tell each other good job.  A steep downhill follows and I do my best not to fall.  I start to recognize where I am at and can tell that the run is almost done.

My pace is now around 7:10 and I’m running as fast as my legs will go!  Tough course!  I see the transition area ahead.  Time to bike!  Troy and Anna are there cheering me on.  It’s nice to see them again!

I have a great transition and jump on my bike.  The roads have dried up a bit and at the moment the rain is holding off.  Thanks for that, too, God!  It’s an out-and-back with lots of twists, turns, ups and downs.  It’s hard to get a good rhythm going but I do my best to hammer when I get a straight-away.  My average pace today for 13 miles turns out to be less than my pace for 56 miles at the California half Ironman a few weeks ago!  Although the course is much shorter, I cannot get up the speed.  I feel the frustration weld up inside me.  As I’m focusing on the negative, a guy passes me and tells me good job.  I realize that I should be encouraging others, too.  Winning or getting a certain time is not what it’s all about!  Sometimes it’s so hard to let go of the expectations.  I get self-focused and forget the real reason I’m doing this:  All of my races are for the glory of my Lord, Jesus.  If I’m slow, or even last, I need to be content.  I feel myself relax and my attitude brightens.  At the end of the 1st loop, I feel good and my pace has actually gotten faster.  Wow, thanks God!

As I go out for the 2nd out-and-back, I can see the other female competitors.  The girl I passed on the run is back a bit and another girl is gaining on her.  I’m currently the first female.  We’ll see what happens.  This time I do good at maintaining my position and not loosing speed.  I continue to remind myself to be content.  I see the other girls behind me again and notice the girl in 3rd is now in 2nd.  She’s really pushing hard and closing the gap between us.

he miles click off fast and soon I find myself coming back to the transition area.  I’m so glad to see Troy and Anna.  I have a good transition and take off for my final run.  I know this time the course is going to be tougher as my legs are more tired.  I see a few guys ahead of me and I focus on keeping them in sight.  I don’t want to run this alone if I can help it! 

Around mile 2 I can see the racers from the 50 miler heading down the same trail I’m heading up.  They look surprisingly relaxed and strong.  Wow, this is probably mile 30 for them and they’re making it look easy!  I wonder if our race will confuse them or disrupt their rhythm.  I try to give them space and not to run into them. 

I catch up to one of the guys in my race.  He pulls over so I can pass on the narrow trail. “Thanks!” I tell him.  That’s so nice of him to let me go by!  I round a corner and can see some of the 50 milers have stopped and are confused.  I motion to them to keep going and that they are on the right path.  As I pass by, I hear the guy behind me do the same.  I sure hope they find their way! 

Here comes the big hill again.  I feel a lot of my pep disappear and I struggle to push.  I can see a few guys ahead and I try to keep them in sight.  They pull away a bit.  I’m running at 7:30 pace this time around.  I try not to let myself get frustrated and just focus on doing the best I can. 

I find myself close to the finish line and I’m glad it’s almost over.  This race has been more of challenge then expected.  I remain positive and remind myself that today’s effort is another step in my training that will help me down the line.  I can see the finish and I can see Troy and Anna too.  Wow, I’m actually going to be the first female!  What a nice treat after a tough day!  I shout out “Anna” and she gives me a big smile!  That makes this even sweeter! 

Troy told me later I was smiling throughout the race and that made me feel good.  I want the joy of the Lord to shine through me.  Thanks God for today!