^{PLACE & TIME:} 

Robin 10th - 5:02:29*

(34:34-01:47-2:47:46-2:07-1:36:14)

It’s 5:30am and we’re driving to the Russian River to T1 (1^st transition).  Instead of one transition area for both the bike and run, the Vineman has two areas.  By the time we arrive near the start, things are hopping.  Triathletes, bikes, and gear are everywhere!  This morning I don’t feel that sense of excitement and anticipation for my race.  I don’t feel the normal amounts of intimidation.  I feel like even Hawaii Ironman World Champion Michelle Jones, who’s racing here today, doesn’t intimidate me even though I know that she can run circles around me.  It’s as if my brain is disconnected from my body and emotions…very strange and not typical!  With the pressure off today, I need something to get my adrenaline flowing. I’m not racing for a slot, I’m racing to prepare for Hawaii.  What a huge blessing and an amazing dream come true…thanks to Jesus!  Even with my sluggish brain, it’s great to be here to race with some great folks like Carrie Chavez and Sierra Snyder and to hopefully be a light for Jesus.

The pros go off at 6:25am…ouch!  My age group, 30 to 34, is the 5^th wave at 7:05am.  I finish setting up my bike gear and head out to see Troy and Anna.  Anna has enjoyed hanging out on the rocky beach of the Russian River.  I can see she’s already filled up one of Troy’s pockets with rocks.  We hang out for a bit and now it's time to warm up for the swim.  Oh dear, I need to use the potty.  I wait in a long line for the porta-potty.  As I come out I see my wave in the water ready to leave.  Uh-oh!  Our friend Steve Chavez and his daughter Madison are nearby.  He tells me they’re running early.  Now my heart is racing and the adrenaline is flowing.  I say goodbye to Troy, Anna, Steve and Madison and run down to the water.  I stop at the water’s edge to say a prayer.  Then I jump in and swim out to the start.  I look back and see a bunch of girls getting in the water.  I guess I wasn’t the only one waiting in line.  I do feel pumped now!

The gun goes off and the washing machine starts.  Arms and legs are everywhere.  I try to dodge them and get into a good rhythm.  We are swimming upstream. I don’t feel resistance though I know it’s there.  The fast pack has taken off and there are just a few girls around me.  I focus on good form and consistent pace.  There is a girl just ahead. I zero in on her and keep her in my sights.  It doesn’t seem long till I see the turn-a-round buoy with the balloons.  Now we’re heading down stream.  I don’t feel the boost but, again I know it’s there.  The girl and I have caught up to the men’s wave in front of us.  While dodging them we get separated.  I try to swim straight and keep my eyes peeled for the finish.  I can see two bridges ahead so I know we are close.  I try to surge.  I feel a little flat but push anyway.  I can see the wine barrels at the finish!  You've got to have wine barrels in the wine country.

I get out, pull over, and take off my wetsuit.  It comes right off…yes!  It’s up the beach and to my bike.  Where is it?  I didn't memorize my area well....  there it is, right in front of me…silly!  I’m off and running out of the transition area.  I see Troy and Anna and give them a smile.  It takes the first few miles on the bike to feel comfortable.  I get into a good grove and pass a few girls in my age group.  But before mile 15, two girls in my age pass me.  They both are looking strong and are hard to stay with though I try.  They sure make it look easy. 

My watch beeps an hour into the race.  This is to remind me to think of a verse and remember that I’m not alone out here.  Philippians 3:14: “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward through Christ Jesus.” 

At mile 20 a guy passes me.  I look down and back up and suddenly see a cloud of dust.  The poor guy somehow went off the road and must have rolled in the dirt.  I ask if he is ok and he says yes.  I tell him that I’ll pray for him.  I ask the Lord to allow him to get back on his bike and catch me again.  I see a volunteer a mile later and tell them that someone crashed.  A little later I hear sirens…I sure hope that’s not for him!  I should have stopped to really make sure he was okay.

I see Troy and Anna around mile 35 on a hill.  They were here last year waiting for me when I did the Aqua Bike.  It’s so good to see them!  I was having a hard time staying focused and that is what I needed.  I haven’t seen a single girl in my age group.  It makes me wonder where I am.  Keep going, keep pressing on.

The miles soon click off and I’m heading to T2 at Windsor High School.  It looks like I’m on pace for a sub 2:50 bike…wow, cool!  Hey, this could possibly mean it’s possible to go 5:05 today.  This gets me more pumped up and helps me dig down for the last 10 miles of the bike. 

I pass by the spot where I got a flat tire last year and see someone fixing a flat…man, bad spot for sure!  I purposely move way over and into a lane of traffic…good thing there are no cars around. 

I push it hard and now I can see the high school.  And, there’s Troy and Anna!  So good to see them again!  I see one of the girls, that passed me on the bike, going out for her run.  She looks really strong and she’s got a good start!

I realize I’ve gone sub-2:50…yeah!!  I don’t know the official time since my Garmin shut itself off several times on the bike.  I’ll find out later.  It’s a long run from the bike dismount to my run gear.  I’m directed down a different row of bikes and cannot see the marker I was using to find my bike.  Again I have to pause to find my stuff.  There it is!  I drop off my bike and get on my run gear.  I put on a FCA visor today…wow, with a pony tail, it's much easier than putting on a normal hat…I like it! 

I’m excited to see where Troy and Anna will be.  I run out with a lot of pep…totally the opposite from this morning and even the bike.  Running is my favorite part so that helps.  My legs feel great!  There they are!  Ah, I see that Anna has a fun diversion: sheep, goats and cows on the side of the course…she’s in heaven!  I say hi and Troy says I look strong.  I tell them I love them and head out.  This course is rolling and mostly exposed to the elements.  It’s going to be hot soon which is good practice for Kona.  I think how much harder it will be for the later waves.  Our friend Bruce and Greg started at 8:22 and 8:38 this morning…poor guys! 

I miss my first mile but mile 2 is a 6:54.  That doesn’t seem right.  I don’t see anyone in my age group yet.  There are a few girls without their age on their calves so I don’t know for sure.  The third mile is 7:02.  That seems awfully fast too.  I feel really comfortable and relaxed.  It doesn’t seem possible that I’m running that fast.  Just in case I try to cool it off and not go any faster.  Thanks Lord for this race!  I’m glad to be here.

The fourth mile is 8:04.  Now I’m confused!  I either slowed down a lot or my pace before was wrong.  There have been some good hills this last mile too so maybe that's it.  The fifth mile is 7:26.  That seems more like it!   I see Carrie Chavez running back.  She looks great and is smiling.  She’s fun to watch race because you can tell she just loves racing.  I also see Sierra running back…wow, she’s having a great race!  I really hope she qualifies for Hawaii today!  She’s also in my age group…it would be great to race together in Kona!  I should be seeing that other girl soon too.  As I turn the next corner I see her…still looking strong!  I hope Sierra holds her off.

Now the nice smooth feeling is gone and the work begins.  It’s not so easy to turn over my legs and push my body.  I know that I can finish under 5:05 if I can keep this pace.  It’s going to be a mental challenge but I remind myself this might be my last chance for a 1/2 Ironman PR.  After Hawaii, I’m going to give Troy the opportunity to race hard and we’re going to try to have a baby.  I don’t know when I will train hard again.  God has blessed me with such an amazing season and I want to try to reach every bit of potential He’s given me for His glory. That’s good motivation and I’m able to push ahead.

I finally see a girl in my age group.  As I pass her I tell her good job.  She says “Robin?  What are you doing here?  I thought you qualified already at Coeur d’Alene.”  It's Andi, I now remember seeing her at IMCDA.  I tell her that I was already signed up and wanted to see what I could do. I ask her if she’s qualified and she says no.  I tell her that anything can happen (I learned that well at IMCDA!) and to keep pushing it. 

The sixth and seventh miles are 7:41 average.  Come on keep moving!  Mile 8 is 7:35 and mile 9 is 7:24.  I look at my watch and see I'm going to be under 5:05!  Mile 10, which is also Mile 4, is 7:57.. so it must be the hills.  As I’m running down a nice hill I pass a guy and feel God urging me to encourage him.  I tell him good job and that this downhill is free speed (something Troy says often).  He tells me good job too and then picks up the pace and takes off…I’m glad that helped him.

I'm getting close to the finish, Thank you Lord!!  I’m ready to drink “Coke” for the final push.  I try to get some at the next aid station.  It's pretty crowded and I'm not able to get a clear shot at grabbing one!  I know there’s one more chance.  Mile 11 is 6:52.  As I come up on the last aid station I call out “Coke” and someone says “we’re out”.  Oh well, I’m almost done anyway.  Besides, I can have a Coke if I PR (a deal Troy and I have) and it looks like I will.  Mile 12 is 6:41.  Alright!  Thanks God! 

I see Anna and Troy right were I left them at the farm.  I wave my arms and smile.  Three more corners and I’ll see the finish.  Troy is running on the other side of the road with Anna.  He says, “I’ve got to get ahead of you so I can see you finish”.  “Come on then, push it”, I say.  “This is your workout for the day, Troy…go honey!”  He takes off.  It’s so great to see him running fast!  I hope the Lord will heal his 9 year foot problem so he can run without pain.  I’m looking forward to supporting him next season.

There’s the finish!  I can see 5:01 something on the board.  Yes!  As I cross the line I thank the Lord for today. This is a real treat!

Sierra finished 7^th in our age group.  She thinks that Kona is not going to happen but we encourage her to remain hopeful.  She wrote us later to tell us the slot rolled down to her!  Yes, God is good!  What a day!

Brad Seng

Greg Price

Bruce Belden

Sierra Synder

Jeff Landauer

David Easa

Carrie Chavez

Rochelle Zolna

Tom Werner