^{PLACE & TIME:}  Robin - 1st - 01:09:36

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This weekend the joke has been with Troy that "you're supposed to be in the hospital".  "Troy, why aren't you racing this weekend?  Oh yeah, you were supposed to be in the hospital".  We went to the Biggest Loser reception but Troy only had t-shirts and sweatpants.  "Oh yeah, you were supposed to be in the hospital".  Etc. Well we turned our weekend into lots of quality family time and had fun.  It was so nice to have Troy working the FCA booth with me and cheering me on in Sunday's race.  We enjoyed meeting some of our favorite Biggest Losers who were competing this weekend. 

We arrive at the transition area just in time for Terry Davis' prayer.  What an inspiration and a great reminder that it's all about glorifying Jesus and not myself.  Anna helps me set up my transition area while Troy gets Ariel and my bike ready.  It's a small but nice crowd today.  The date of this race was changed from November for better weather.  Numbers are down this year but will come back up next year. 

I check out the map to make sure I know what I'm doing.  I meet a girl, Emily, who is doing this race for the first time.  I help to explain the course and she asks me for some tips.  I ask her if she is a swimmer.  She says yes so I suggest that she get in a longer warm-up since the race is so short (Troy's advice to me) and take off her wetsuit at the swim exit so it will come off easier. 

Soon, it's time for the swim.  After some last minute preparations like putting my shoes on the bike (yes, I'm attempting that again) and putting lace locks on my new running shoes, I meet up with Troy and the girls.  They have FCA-E tattoos ready to put on me.  After getting "tooed", we pray and again I'm reminded it's not about me.  I head to the water and jump in.  The water stings my face but then it's not bad.  After a 5 min warm-up, I'm ready to go.  I see the fam hanging out on the rocks and I wave.  As I come up to the start line, I realize that I didn't check out the course.  It's hard to see it now but I do know that it's 3 buoys...just follow the rest of the girls, right?

The Swim

Ready, set, go!  I get a good start and am able to tuck in behind another girl.  Soon, she slows down and I go around.  I can only see one girl ahead of me.  Wow, I've never been second in a swim before!  Surely someone will catch me.  At the buoy, the first girl is out of sight and I'm not sure which way to go.  I pull my head out of the water and see she's made a hard left.  I put my face in and push.  When I look up again, the girl is suddenly way ahead, like she got shot out of a cannon!  Wow!  I wonder if that's Emily.  I'm alone now.  So weird!  I've always wanted to know what it's like to be leading a swim. 

I hit the last buoy and push hard to home.  It's nice to be going so short!  Suddenly I'm confused.  There's a buoy to the left, close to the finish.  Do I swim around it or go straight in?   I decide to go around it.  Getting closer, I take a look at the finish and see a bunch of guys waving wildly at me...oh, I guess I swim straight in.  I get to the stairs and run up to the top.  I whip off my wetsuit and off to my bike!  Thanks God for that very fun experience!

The Bike

I have 3 loops ahead of me.  I run out with my bike and see the family on the way.  I jump on the bike and hold on to the fence to slip the shoes on...what am I doing?!  Troy, said to do that on the course.  Once on the course I struggle to get them on...oh, man.  Bikers are flying by from previous waves.  It's hard to tell which lap anyone is on.  After a few moments of drifting, I finally get the shoes on.  That was definitely not smooth but better than dropping a shoe like at Wildflower. 

This course has a lot of twists and turns and it's extremely bumpy in some areas.  Treasure Island seems mostly deserted so I can see there's little incentive to repave it.  It takes a bit to get comfortable and I'm getting out of my aerobars on most of the turns.  A girl in pink flies by and I pick it up to keep her in my sight.  She's clearly stronger but I'll try my best.  I'm feeling pretty cold and hope to warm up soon!

Loop 1:  12:33.  I see Troy and Anna cheering me on.  It's so nice to see their smiles!  I'm still cold even with the sun shining!  Now I know the course well now so I'm ready to push harder.  I get in my aerobars a lot more this time.  I also find it more comfortable going around corners at a higher speed.  So far I'm staying ahead of those behind me, but anticipating getting caught.

Loop 2: 11:07.  Cool!  One more!  Yes, I'm ready to be done and running already!  I see my fan club one more time.  They rock! There's a girl moving fast ahead in green.  It takes some effort to catch her and I'm able to pass.  I think that's Emily!  She's doing awesome in her first tri!  As I pass the run course, I see the girl in pink running already.  She must have been in an earlier wave.  She looks strong!

A little further there's a group of 14 year olds.   I slow down on a turn to give them some room.  They are chatting a bit too long and could be perceived as drafting.  Well, they're having fun out here.  I pass and make one last push to the finish.

Loop 3: 11:01.  I love to negative split!!  Thanks God for a great ride!  I run into T2 and I feel like I'm running on stumps.  I didn't realize my feet were still frozen from the swim!

T2

I get my gear ready as fast as I can especially since Emily just came in.  She really is having a great race...impressive!  Running out it feels like I'm wearing high heels now with my frozen feet in my shoes!  I hope to defrost quickly!!

The Run

I hope to run 6:45 pace today for this 2 loop course.  Just like Silicon Valley Tri, that first mile proves to be harder than expected!  The beautiful bay is so nice today but it does little to help my legs turn over.  I take an Espresso Hammer Gel at the turn around in hopes to get a kick.

Mile 1: 6:50.  I'm headed back.  I see Emily and give her a thumbs up.  At the turn around I can see the finish line and already I want this race to be done.  The gang is waiting and that lifts my spirits.  Anna is ready to run in with me but I tell her she has to wait until I come back.  I give her a high five and tell her I love her.  I smile at Troy and Ariel as I can clearly see they are excited to see me.  Oh yeah, Troy was supposed to be in the hospital.  I'm glad he's here.  But I also wish things had worked out this weekend with the surgery.  As I head out on loop 2, my feet have pretty much thawed out.  Ironically my legs are still feeling heavy as if they were frozen.

Mile 2:  6:47.  I'm able to just squeak out a sub 6:50.  I see two girls flying ahead.  They must be on their first loop.  I pick it up in hopes of catching them.  I'm looking for is something to get me going.  I'm able to pick it up and get moving though it's tough.

Mile 3: 6:34.  Alright!  I push hard to the finish and there's Anna waiting for me!    I grab her hand and we enjoy the home stretch.  Announcer, Eric Gilsenan, talks us up.  As we cross the finish together,  I thank the Lord.  Troy and Ariel find us and it's a group hug.  As Troy and Ariel return to the FCA-E booth, Anna and I wait for Emily to tell her good job.  I want Anna to know that's it's important to encourage others...even if they beat us.  It's not about us but about Jesus(=

Team Soares!

Go Betsy!

Go Dan!

Go David!

Go Dennis!

Team Soares Working the Expo for FCA Endurance