Robin is taking Anna in the trailer on the bike course before it all starts.  We meet a couple new triathletes, Matt and Chad, from L.A.. They notice my Team in Faith jersey (a Sacramento group started by Brian Pridden) and we discover they're Christian's, too.

I remember vividly the joy of running pain-free in last week's Wildflower race, thanks to the Lord's intervention.  So I will again focus on Him; racing 100% but not forcing results.. realizing His healing is more important that results.

  It's fun chatting with others. Many of us remember each other from previous years. The race director announces, "Troy's won the race 4 years so if you don't know where you're going, follow him."  I'm sure there are others here that can win it this time.  I just want to show God He's more important than anything.

The water is great.  I start out fast.  10 of us abreast all going for the buoy.  I'm fading some, getting tired, it feels hard.  A group gets away up front but I can't see, my goggles are fogged.  200yds left, trying hard but feeling like I'm not making progress.  Glad to find the boat ramp and start running, not sure how many are ahead.  A small group of spectators cheer nicely as I bike out.  The race director says, "Give 'em hell, Troy".  I'd rather give them Heaven, but that's free for the taking anyway :)

I'm surprised to have taken the lead in the 1st mile.  I actually hope to see someone up ahead but at the first turn-around I realize I have a good lead.  I cheer for all the bikes going the other direction.  Many have smiles and seem to be having a great time.  Now it's up the steep hill.  It hurts but I know it levels off soon.  I'm all alone so I have to push myself... "go hard or go home" as Laura would say.  And the Lord wants us to do everything with all our heart as if doing it for Him.

Flying back down to the lake I take a curve at 43mph.  Exhilarating!  But I know I'm not a "real good cyclist" because the director always says they can hit 60mph on this hill.  That's fast!  A truck towing a boat causes me to stop at the last turn but I'm patient, then hammer back to transition.

Changing into my shoes, the director says, "For those of you keeping track of such things, 2nd place is across the lake".  With over 2 minute lead, I start the 4.5mi figure-8 run.  I focus upward.  But my foot is uncomfortable.  Robin & Anna wait atop the first hill which is terrific to see.  I shuffle so slowly up it.  On the peaceful and narrow trails, shrouded by green and budding wildflowers, I run hard but ease off the foot.  It doesn't get better.

I am convicted.  This week I haven't kept to all the Lord wanted me to do even though I assured Him I would.  I tried to get too many other things done and kind of took for granted what He gave me the previous race.  With a mile to go, I really want to pick it up, bear the pain and insure a win.  I haven't looked back, but 2nd place could be there.  But I trust His plan is best.. "healing is more important than results".

Out of the trees.  I turn the corner to descend to the finish and in the corner of my eye I see him behind me!  Without straining the foot I pump my arms and spin my legs as fast as I can.  Everyone is cheering.  The finish is 100yds ahead.  I keep to my promise not to look back.  I can't hear anything and hope he is fading back.  A 5th trophy rock could be waiting just up ahead.  With 10yds to go I hear him start to pass.  I respond but his timing was perfect.  Before I could fully shift gears, he was across the line, less than a second ahead.

Some of the spectators seemed shocked.  The race director, too. He said it was the closest race they've ever had.  I was very happy to keep to my promise in following my coach above.  I never looked back, and was never sad with the outcome.  I got to the know the winner, Mike, and cheered on the others in the race.  Robin & I had a great time speaking with many of the participants.  One told me that I was an inspiration for her.  Helped in her choice to do it as a relay for the first time.  I had a great time and really felt there was purpose in the Lord's plan.  Not winning by a second is so awesome, when you compare it to not being able to run at all... which I've experienced and know is only not the case because of God's grace and perfect plan for me.

God Bless,