Robin is coaching her Moms in Motion team at their first 5k in Los Gatos.  Mike Hogan, from our church, The River, is here with his dad and brother, Miles, who are also doing the race.  They're really having a fun time and making it a family affair.  I'm also happy to see another guy who is ALWAYS at these races.  In fact he's done 350 triathlons!

Race director, Mark, gives his famous pre-race talk, always with mention of Lance Armstrong and his pre-cycling triathlon days.  I pray for my race to be focused on Him and an encouragement to others.  Robin & I also prayed for the race earlier.

I start on the far right, in the deep muck of the lake shore.  No wetsuit because it's warm and short.  GO!!!  I swim good (better than expected), rounding the 2 buoys and then sprinting for the grassy exit.

I bike hard.  But still feel like I should be going a little faster.  After 15 yrs, I know this course very well and try to maximize all the fast sections.  Lauren Trent, 1996 Ironman Canada winner, is here.  She's very nice. She does many local events.  After having two kids and retiring as pro, she still knows how to go very fast!  I try to keep up with her on the bike.  Back and forth.  I pass a few guys that are in the process of making their way back on the course after making a wrong turn. That moves me up to 5th place.  I always try to go as hard as I can now on the bike because I don't know if I'll be able to run much.  But actually I've been surprised in most races that I can run without much pain.

I'm on the run now.  These runs are always special times for me.  I look to God and talk to Him.  I become more appreciative, and more aware of the athletes and volunteers around me, and the role model that we all should be.  My foot is feeling much better than normal!  I'm running with another tall guy.  I encourage him and at the same time try to keep up with him.  He passes me on the uphills and I catch up on the downhills.  Working together, we catch another guy.  But then are also passed by a guy like we were standing still.  It's become an exciting race!  The final stretch is across a grassy field before finishing on the bike trail.  We go for it!  The tall guy, Mark, is out-kicking me.  The cool thing is that my foot isn't holding me back.. it's more of just not being strong enough.  I finish a very happy 4th.