^{PLACE & TIME:}  Robin 1st - 1:39:22

(Click on Pictures to make larger)

I haven't competed here at Angels Camp since 2004!  It doesn't seem that long!  I'm post two sweet babies...hard to believe!  It's fun to run into some familiar faces like Dave LeRoy, Mike Statz and the Messersmith family.  I'm tired but excited to see what my body can do today. 

Ready, set, go!  It's a mass start.  I jump into the cold water and go!  I find that it's a little harder this time to focus on technique.  I'm a little tired, cold and it seems like a lot of folks got a big jump on me and are ahead.  I remind myself this is to glorify Christ and to have fun.  I focus on each buoy and pushing the water.  I haven't found a draft and swim mostly alone. Rounding the final buoy, I look for the long ramp.  It looks close but as the minutes go by, it seems so far.  Half way to the ramp, I can see folks running out of the water (Mike Statz was first).  There are some amazing swimmers! I finally make it and jump out and rip off my wetsuit. 

It's a long way to the top of this ramp!  Despite the great amount of rain, this reservoir is the lowest we've seen which makes T1 pretty long!  I push up the hill and pass Troy and the girls going up...giving Anna a high five.

I make a quick transition and get out on the bike.  The sun is disappearing behind the clouds which makes me feel quite chilly!  I wish I had some arm warmers on!  This course is a double out and back.  On the first one I can see a couple guys ahead of me and we are evenly spaced out.  Soon I see someone struggling with their bike.  As I get closer, I can see it's young Ryan Messersmith.  He quickly fixes the problem and jumps back on.  I tell him good job as I pass by.  I'm wondering if I'm the first woman.  Now Mike Statz is screaming back!  Wow, "good job Mike!"  A little later it's Dave LeRoy and soon after Martin Messersmith...tough crowd.  I make it to the u-turn and slow down quite a bit to make the turn.  I can hear some bikes behind and am briefly afraid that I'm blocking them.  Coming out of the turn, I can see that I'm not in the way.  I haven't seen any woman yet so it looks like I'm defending the lead.

Tucking into the aero position, I hammer the flat section.  I see a few girls coming up the road.  I have no idea if they'll catch me...I just need to keep focused on my own race.  I get to the big hill.  Immediately I feel the steepness and strain on my legs.  As I go along, it seems to get a little better...thanks God and thanks Auburn hills!  I see a few guys ahead of me and decide to push a little harder to try to catch them.  Usually I try to hold back on the hills but this race will be over fast so why not take some risks. 

At the top of the hill it's basically flat.  Again I tuck in and press on.  The guys ahead of me have pulled away but are not out of sight.  Here comes Mike, David and Martin.  Man, those guys are looking good!  A 50-something bullet passes me.  Wow, he's flying!  Age seems to matter less as there are folks fast at any age! 

At the next turn around I take it cautiously.  Now it's straight home and to the run!  I catch one of the guys and hit the downhill.  He comes by me again and I realize I'll have to wait to the bottom to try to catch him.. he's taking the descent fast.  I put on the brakes a bit in fear of getting out of control.  This is an area I definitely can improve on!  At the bottom, I make the turn onto the road to T2.  It's pretty flat so I push it and pass the guy back.  I make the final turn and head in.  I can see Troy and the girls and wave to them. 

I make a pretty quick transition and head out.  Anna comes running across to me and is ready to give a high five.  We connect...it's so uplifting on Mother's Day to be doing something you love and sharing that with your child!

Within the first 1/4 mile we are climbing up a big hill.  At the top, it levels out and I push harder.  I catch up to two guys, one being the speedy 50+ guy.  I tell them good job and thanks as they both move over so I can get by on the narrow trail.  I tell one of them that I hope we're not in 6th place...the race director says 6th place always seems to run into a rattle snake!  I feel like I'm running pretty fast, but my pace tells me otherwise.  Undiscouraged I just keep trying to push harder.  Mile 1 is 7:40. 

I'm totally alone now and wonder if any women are catching me.  It's really beautiful running on this trail as it meanders along shady, wildflower-filled terrain.  Thanks God for Your beauty!  Mile 2 is 7:46.

The trail runs into part of the small loop that makes up Mile 3.  I don't see anyone coming so either Mike and the gang are ahead or not here yet...probably the former!  I pass the aid station and here the photographer says "first woman"...good to know but I still wonder what is behind me.  Again, I'm all alone as I do the little loop.  Mile 3 is 7:40.

I make it all the way around to the merge in the trails and still I don't see anyone.  Where is everyone?!  I pass the aid station again and they tell me there have been no women yet.  Down the big hill that I came up.  I let gravity take over and let the legs fly.  Just a 1/4 mile to the finish line!  I push as hard as I can.  I can hear cheers for young Ryan behind me.  I better go!  I push as hard as I can!  I see Anna running towards me to finish with me.  I grab her hand and see there is still some distance to the finish.  I hear feet approaching fast.  I'm tempted to let go of Anna and kick it in...no!  This is important to her and I that we finish together.  We race along and a guy passes us just before the line.  I'm beaming because Anna and I are together!  Nothing beats this!  Mile 4 is 7:01...good job Anna!  Thanks God for this amazing Mother's Day gift!

Go Mike!

Go Dave LeRoy!

Go David!

Fun at the Awards Show/Park!