On Friday, I saw one of these storms. Like a fat tornado. A dark, ominous cylinder, full of lightning bolts and driving rain. I was 20mi out of town, biking under perfect skies with farmland as far as I could see. Until I looked left and saw the angry pillar, the "perfect storm", 2mi away, traveling about 30mph with similar destination.. Lubbock.

Scared at first, I then decided to beat it back to town to the safety of my hotel. Assisted by a major tailwind, I was doing 27mph. I could see the storm engulfing houses in the distance. The road straight back to Lubbock would jog left sometimes, putting my path closer to the storm's. I was determined to escape its wrath. I saw someone standing outside his home staring at it. We looked at each other briefly. Then I felt the drops. It was nipping at my heals. I'm completely hammering now. 30mph. I'm the only one on the road. 10mi to go. The road slants left. I start to expect the worst.. a total drenching, but keep rekindling hope. I just get by as our paths cross and now it's slightly behind me on my right, but still chugging along with me.

I flew back to the hotel and told Jeffrey, "There's a storm coming!" He looked out at the clear skies and didn't believe me. Wondering if I imagined the whole thing I went out for a cool down and at the race hotel, a mile to the right of us, a bewildered biker told me he just got totally doused by some freak storm. I mentioned this scary encounter to Tana who's from the Midwest, and to her it was no big deal.

Back to the race story.. well, Saturday, it was back up to it's usual 106° with oil bubbling up through the asphalt.

Race Day

We arrive at the race at 5:20am. it's 75°. We wait in a triathlete traffic jam for 40min. I couldn't warm up on the bike. Had to resort to a stationary jog while in the porta-potty line. The hip that had been bothering me this week now felt fine. The announcer is ordering us to the starting line. I throw my wetsuit on, warm up quick, say a prayer and start the race!

Swim

3 waves went off ahead of us. I'm in a safe position on the outside and settling into a good swim. I think how I've been a little confused on my goals for today. Is it a "just for fun" race, without pressure because I already have my Ironman slot? Or is it a chance to do well in a competitive gathering to gain points towards possible All-American status? I'd like to place high, and my improvements seem to suggest I can. But I don't feel energized like I did at Keauhou.

Still, the swim goes really well, hardly any contact. And I perfected a technique of opening my collar as I swim to let in water. 75° water temp makes it easy to get overheated in this full wetsuit. The course is marked well. I swim real straight, except when I dart around the swimmers of earlier waves in an attempt to shake off those drafting me.

Out in 8th place! How unusual...with a 32:13 (which is 5 min slower than '98 but surely due to the swim course being a little longer). After making quick time in transition I start the bike in 7th.

Bike

We soon feel the brunt of the wind that tries to break our spirits for the next few hours. And the sun! I don't normally sweat this much on the bike.. but I drink often, ride smart, and negotiate the 3 narrow turn-arounds well thanks to Tana suggesting we practice them the day before. But I'm not comfortable and don't feel the "snap" like at Keauhou. Still, I work hard, but don't know how hard because my heart rate monitor dies...soon my speedometer, too. Now my chain drops and I have to dismount to put it on. I do pass people, but only 2 in my division, whereas 7 pass me! However, I didn't really notice because of the wind and sun and concentrating.

The new (8th) hill Mike Greer added to the course is cool with a big scenic turn along the edge of a cliff.

Every time the wind hits me I think how well I've been doing on windy days and think I'm riding fast. But I finish with a 2:38:18 (this is 16 min slower than 2 years ago!). However, no flats! I had gotten 4 in the last 2 days of training. And no penalties.. although I watched a guy get one in front of me as he wheel sucked blatantly right in front of the motorcycle official following him.

Run

I start the run in 12th place (although I think I'm more like 6th) and with great expectations. The announcer is incredible! Reciting my accomplishments as I head out (and again when I finish). He knew my previous bests, my big improvements this year, Wildflower, Keauhou, everything! Made you feel pumped.. but then the heat made you feel withered. I didn't feel snappy running either, but I used ice, drank often and forced down the GUs. It's about 100° but a strong, sometimes cool, breeze keeps it bearable. My Achilles is a little tender and a side cramp is threatening. But I manage 6:44, 6:40, 6:56 for the first few miles around the lake. 3 guys in my division blow by me. I vow to catch them later. But my splits aren't looking like Keauhou: 7:30, 7:36, 7:30, 7:24.. losing a minute each mile.

After 6mi I'm feeling better, stronger, no cramp, no injury, and the guys ahead of me look beat on their way back. Another guy says I'm in 3rd (it was really 13th) and I believed I could be. I see the legends, Dave Scott & Scott Tinley on their return. I start picking off more guys, but mainly in other divisions. I see Jeffrey & Tana running great. Tana's injured ankle is holding up!

I move up to 11th after Miles 8 and 9 (7:05, 6:15), passing 2 of the 3 guys that bolted by me earlier (I end up beating the 3rd guy after I finish as he gets slapped with a 4min drafting penalty). I'm feeling pretty good. Over the hill at mile 10 (7:41), I focus on catching another guy in my age. After 7:09 and 7:00 miles I pass him with 1 mile to go through the trees along the lake. I'm thinking I must be in really good position and I'm hoping I won't see anymore up ahead (I don't want to have to sprint) Oh no! a 1/4mi to go and a runner 100yds ahead! Part of me says it's impossible.. but I gotta try. With the finish line in sight and running like crazy, I close the gap and charge by with 30 yds to go. The 1:32:50 run had wiped me out. (I remember feeling much better after running 1:26:38 at Keauhou). Oh, the guy wasn't even in my age group. But it was good practice.

It was definitely a hard race & I thought I worked harder than my 9th place finish suggested. 2 years ago, only 1 30-34 yr old beat me at this race. I realize competition is tough and you can't expect to beat them without 100% preparation. But I also realized how much I appreciate being able to participate in these races. They are a lot of fun for me, an avenue to witness to others, and a blessing from God :)

Tana remarkably got 4th place despite her sketchy ankle!

It always helps me to remember Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want..." I can not earn His blessings, yet He has showered me with so many. You, my friends and family, are some of my greatest blessings. Thanks for reading and God Bless :)