^{PLACE & TIME:}  Robin  - 8th;

2:41:38 (26:32-2:33-1:24:24-2:27-45:42)

Previous Wildflower PRs or Personal Records:

I wonder how today is going to go.  It's been a rough week and a half leading up to this.  Anna was fighting multiple days of a high fever, aches and pains, and a chronic cough.  We were set not to come, but the doctor cleared Anna at the last minute.  So with 3 days of little sleep and no training, we were off!  There still was a cough to deal with at night and it led to more fatigue.  Still here I am on the starting line.  The Lord is good and has allowed me this gift to race for Him.  I am so grateful and humbled!

I spend time with Troy and Anna before the race starts.  It is so meaningful to have their support!  We pray together and thank the Lord for this day. 

I jump in to warm-up after the wave before me starts.  I actually feel good and the water is cool and refreshing.  As I line up on the starting line I see a familiar face, Heather Flebbe.  We went to high school together and she's starting a Moms In Motion team in my hometown.  We chat for a few minutes and then the countdown begins...

Ready, set, go.  I run into the water as girls start swimming.  I find an open spot and dive in.  Ooo, refreshing!  I feel strong.  I think about Troy's advice here...find a draft.  I tuck in behind a group of girls in the white caps and try to settle in.  The group is taking off and I find myself alone.  I'm pretty good at swimming straight so I try not to look up too often.  I put my head down and try to swim "tall" (advice from my swim Coach Chris Breitbart).  The buoys click off one by one.  I remind myself that this is shorter than a half ironman and push more.  As I near the far buoys, a girl in a white cap passes by.  I try to tuck in behind her but she begins to drift off course.  I keep my eye on her and plan to use her draft as she weaves back to me.  I have no idea if I have a good pace going or not but I feel great.  The last buoys go by faster and soon enough I'm rounding the last turn.  The same girl and I are now battling it out.  I see the finish balloons and again put my head down and push.  I see the girl drifting off again which makes me push more.  Go!  I'm almost there and I can see Heather getting out of the water.  I must be having a decent swim.  I swim all the way up to the shore and sprint out.  I pull to the side immediately and take my wetsuit off.  Kick, kick, it's off...yes!  Now up the long ramp to my bike.  The endorphins are rushing and I'm excited!  I can see the girl next to me is gone, maybe long gone. 

I'm trying running with my bike shoes clipped to my pedals.  It's a long run from the other side of transition so this is easier than running with them.  I almost put my socks on before realizing it wouldn't be good to run in my socks.  Okay, let's see how this goes.  I mount my bike and get one foot in fine.  I bike up the short hill to the flat area just before Lynch Hill.  I'm struggling with that other shoe and I look up and see Troy and Anna watching me.  Suddenly the shoe falls off the bike and I have to stop, backtrack and put it on.  I can imagine that Troy's stomach sunk a little bit but he's encouraging me.  I get it on and he says, "that was a fast recovery, good job".  I'm finally off and biking...thanks God. I was calm and you got me through that little hiccup.

As I hit Lynch, I am shocked by the congestion before me.  There are women everywhere and some all over the road.  A big fear of mine is getting stuck behind someone and falling over from going too slow.  This hill is a mile and it can be very easy to get stuck especially with other riders zooming down the hill on the other side...I don't want to get clipped.  I know that Troy was praying for me in this exact situation ("may the roads clear for you") and it helps me to remain calm and ask for the Lord's peace.  "On your right, please!"  I say in a loud but nice voice.  Thankfully I get a response.  I pass by Heather and tell her good job.  I'm pushing this hill in hopes of getting around as many girls as possible.  Troy told me to really push the downhills and be comfortable on the uphills.  I might take these up hills on a case-by-case basis. 

I make it to the top, thanks Lord! Now, it's into my aerobars and I push it.  I take the downhills inside the park without braking like usual but pushing through instead.  I feel really calm and I know that's the Lord.  Now up a short steep climb and I make it by a few more people...and a girl in my age group makes it by me.  Down and up, out of the park, and the real fun begins.  I'm totally shocked that I feel this good and I'm this courageous.  As I race down the next hill I read one the FCA signs I put out with my fellow teammate, Marilyn.  "Be strong and take courage for the Lord is with you wherever you go".  Yes, Lord, you have given me such strength and courage already today...awesome!

Another girl in my age group passes but her pace is a bit too brisk for me.  I'm pushing hard and flying by a lot of girls in the age group under me (30-34) who left earlier.  I'm in my aerobars as much as possible and trying to power my legs through.  There are several ups and downs that slow down my momentum but I know it's doing that for everyone. 

I'm at mile 10 and heading down the big downhill.  I'm tempted to brake.  I do briefly but ask the Lord to keep me focused.  I lean back and push against my aerobars.  I really try to fly and pick up my average mph.  I feel so good and I'm really moving.  I push the flat to the turn- around.  As I'm heading back I see two girls really pushing it.  I'm sure to see them soon so I buckle down and push. 

Climbing back up, I see Sara Reinertsen, an above-the-knee amputee, working hard.  As I pass I say "good job Sara!"  "Enjoy that downhill" she says back with her cheerful smile.  What an inspiration!  And I do enjoy the downhill!

As it flattens out, those two girls go by.  I look at their calves and am relieved that they are not in my age group.  They are 40-45!  These ladies are not only older but faster...age really means nothing in triathlon anymore.  These girls appear to be taking turns drafting.  I just try to focus on my own race and hope if it is true, that the officials will spot it.

As I fly down the next downhill, I see Betsy Davis of Tri California with a flat.  I try to yell encouraging words but I'm going too fast to do it.  Instead I say a prayer and ask the Lord to let her work quick.  It's a grind up the next hill but the legs seem to handle it well. 

As I'm approaching the final stretch before I turn into the park, I see a bike coming up in the corner of my eye.  I'm not sure if it's a girl in my age group but I surge to make her have to drop back.  As long as her wheel doesn't get ahead of mine that's the rule.  I'm pushing really hard but as I approach the next uphill, she flys by...good, not in my age group.  Towards the top of the hill I pass her.  She seems to get a little frustrated.

Now, I'm in the park and I'm flying down and towards the last long uphill.  There's a spot that's rough and I hold onto my bars as I bounce over it.  Thanks Lord for making me so brave and for keeping me upright!  This hill has a few more of our signs and again I'm encouraged..."Those who trust the Lord will find new strength".   Yes, Lord, new strength to finish this bike!  I make it up and over and I'm flying down the backside, again, resisting braking.

I climb to the top of Lynch Hill.  This is going to be a real test of my courage!  I wanted to break 1:25.  It's going to be close!  As I'm flying down, I do break a few times but try to keep it brief.  There are runners now finishing on this hill so I have to watch out.  At least there are no cyclists coming up.  As I hit the last turn I thank God for protecting me.  Now I pull my foot out of one shoe, leaving it hanging on the pedal, and then unclip the other shoe.  After dismounting onto one bare foot, I remove the other shoe and carry it while I run to transition.

I see few bikes racked and one of them is the girl next to me.  Man, I think she's going to win this race!  As I rack my bike I can see my running Garmin is off...doh!  I turn it on and hope it loads before I leave.  Just then Terry Davis comes by and I give him a quick hug and we chat while I get ready to run.  I let him know that Betsy had a flat and he says he'll grab another burrito while he waits.  We laugh together.  I thank him and we part ways.  I pick up my Garmin and it still hasn't loaded.  I can't wait so I leave it and grab my bike Garmin instead and stick it in my pocket.  This way I'll have something recorded for later.  There will be mile markers so I'm set.

As I pass through the super supportive crowds I look for Troy and Anna.  I'm just about beyond the main area for spectators and I see them!  Yeah!!  I'm so happy and excited.  Troy is surprised to see me so soon.  I give Anna a high five and thank them for being there!  It means so much!

My legs feel so amazingly great and I'm running a good pace.  This is definitely a gift from the Lord.  It's been such a demanding week with taking care of Anna and I'm amazed by the energy I have. 

The first aid station is filled with very enthusiastic Cal Poly students.  They ask if I wanted to be drenched and I say "yes!".  It's getting hot out here and the more I can cool off, the better.  I'm looking for the mile markers.  That's when I realize the course is marked in kilometers.  Without mile markers, or my other Garmin, I have little idea what pace I'm running.  I don't mind, Jesus will guide my effort. 

I'm starting up the big long hill and I'm glad to see more of the signs we put out: "My peace I give to you".  Yes, Lord, thanks for this incredible peace!  I feel great and I encourage others as I head up.  Only a relay guy passes me and I wonder where the girls are in my age group.

As I look ahead, I can see one of the FCA signs is bent over.  When I get to it I stop and push it back up.  Maybe the spectators and athletes around me realize my main aim is to be out here for the Lord.

I make it up the hill and now it's onto the dirt.  I can hear fast footsteps behind me.  A girl in blue runs by.  I glance down at her calf...36.  I pick it up and stay with her.  As we run together another girl in grey runs by at an even faster pace...37.  I go for it and switch to her shoulder.  I tell the other girl "let's go with her" and pick it up.  This is a tough pace but I'm going with it anyway.  The race is close to over now.  We're almost to Lynch and that's "free speed".  The last small hill is coming and I choose to hold back so I can push the other side to Lynch.  The girl in grey flies up the hill like it's nothing.  A friend of hers is at the top telling her to go as he looks at me.  She's pulling away and I'm picking it up again.  It doesn't look possible to stay with her but I'm going to keep trying. 

As I hit Lynch I just let my legs go.  I tell Jesus that this body is His and He can use it the way He wants.  I find I'm getting closer and closer to the girl in grey and soon I'm passing her like she's standing still.  Lord, it's all you.  Wow!  I continue to fly down, amazed at the speed He's letting my legs go!  The mile descent flies by.  But will I have energy to push the last flat if I'll challenged?  I told Anna that I would finish with her.  I decide if she's near the finish I will finish with her even if I get passed.  As I enter the chute, I don't see Troy or the girls.  Suddenly the girl in blue is back and she goes by.  I hear the Lord say go.  I push hard and she pushes back.  The finish line is right there and I push with all that I have...this hurts...this is your body Lord...go...and I cross the finish line first by a fraction of a second.  We pat each other on the back.  I'm just overwhelmed by the energy I had.  What a race!  It was a gift from Jesus.  I stop a moment to worship Him, thanking Him.

Go Marilyn!

Go Betsy!