^{PLACE & TIME:} 

Robin 11th -  5:08:33

(36:-01:47-2:47:46-2:07-1:36:14)

It’s 5:40am and we are rushing out the door at our friend Suzi's place.  Troy asks me if I have anything and I say yes.  After a 1/2 hour drive to the start, Troy pulls over and drops me off so I can bike the final bit for a warm-up.  I get my gear out and then realize that I left my bottles of Perpetum in Suzi's fridge.  I'm suddenly dejected and whine, "I left my bottles, Troy. This was the race I was supposed to practice using Perpetum". 

Troy asks if I have a Powerbar and I realize I forgot that, too.  Great!  Just perfect!!  It's not long before I realize that I'm acting like life isn't fair, and I'm not thinking about how this can actually be an opportunity to glorify the Lord.  Since yesterday, I've been struggling to keep my eyes on Jesus.  When things haven't gone the way I wanted, I've been getting angry.  My "flesh" (selfishness) has been trying to make this race all about me.  It's ironic because I represent FCA-E (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and yesterday I organized a prayer service for the race.  The good news is that when I apologize, I know the Lord forgives me and wipes the slate clean.  I may have set a bad example but I must move on and walk in God's grace...He wants me to let it go.  So I get on my bike and will make the best of it.  The Lord will provide!

As I say goodbye for now to Troy and the girls, he tells me that he might be able to hand the bottles to me at an aid station.  He plans on checking to see if that is legal.  That would be great but I will be content even without that.  As I pull up to the race start, I look in my bag and find the Powerbar.  Thanks, Jesus! 

Next, I find my spot at the rack.  I set up my gear and head off to find some Gatorade for my bottle.  I'm told by several people that there is no Gatorade only water.  As I look for water, to my surprise, I find a table full of Gatorade.  Thanks, Jesus, once again! 

Soon I'm reunited with Troy and the girls.  It's time for a quick feeding for Ariel.  It's also a reminder of another important role I play as Mommy.  I want so much to be that example of love and self-control as a wife and parent for them in their lives.  They are always watching my lead. 

Friend and pastor, Dan Perkins, joins us.  We gather for a prayer.  This is such good timing!  I need that encouragement today...prayers for peace and for the focus to be on the Lord...yes, it's all about Jesus!  Troy also prays that the Lord look over Dan's flock today in San Jose as they are without him in church.

An old friend, Trudi Scott, surprises us.  She's racing today, too, in my age group.  It's nice to chat and catch up a bit!  We also see Erin McCarty, a studly ex-pro from the bay area, and say hi.  She's in my age group so that's going to make things competitive!

Time to get in the water!  75 degrees feels good especially in a wetsuit!  I wave to the fam.  Wondering where I should put myself, I signal to Troy and he directs me to the right side of the field.   I wonder what today will hold.  I haven't been able to swim and bike as much since traveling over the last few weeks so it's hard to say how things will go.  I don't expect to be anywhere near my form in 2007 when I was headed to Hawaii. 

SWIM

Ready, set, go!  I take off.  I feel smooth as we head up stream on the Russian River.  I'm able to tuck in behind some swimmers.  Soon, I'm on my own for a bit and I then I find another swimmer to aim for.  I follow her the rest of the way up to the turn around.  As we get there, I see several men from the previous wave walking.  It's so shallow here that you could walk.  It looks so weird to see such a sight!  I opt out of the walk even when I find my hand hitting the bottom.

On the way back, I see a group of 2 swimmers ahead and I decide to work to bridge the gap.  Surprisingly, I still feel strong and I'm able to catch them.  Like my great swim last weekend, I'm having a good one today...this is definitely a "God thing"...I haven't swam enough to be able to feel this strong!  Soon, it's just me and one of those swimmers.

I see the swim finish of wine barrels from a distance.  I increase the effort as does the other girl.  We pull each other all the way to the shoreline.  I exit the water and immediately slip off my wetsuit.  I wouldn't do it any other way that's for sure!  A wetsuit is so much easier to take off at the water's edge!

T1

I get to my transition spot and see that there are still a lot of bikes.  Wow, thanks, Lord for a solid swim.  I put on my bike shoes and run out with my bike.  I have little problem getting on and up the short hill.  I'm so glad Troy had me check to make sure I was in the low gears.  Some other athletes are either falling over or having to walk their bikes!  I see Troy and the girls.  I give them a big smile.

BIKE

I'm off!  My legs feel great and I'm able to really push.  It's a little crowded on the road as cars are trying to leave Guerneville and the cyclists are vying for position.  Despite these challenges, I'm able to find a good rhythm.  A few girls from my age group go by and I'm unwilling to go with them in fear of burning out my engine.

Eight miles into the race I come across a strange scene.  What appears to be a fallen tree limb and it looks like the firemen that are there have tied it back with some sort of rope.*  Oh dear, I hope that didn't fall on someone! 

The Gatorade is working out pretty well.  I'm almost out and thankfully there's an aid station ahead.  I first grab water and put it in my holder.  As I'm ready to grab Gatorade, no one is available to give me some and I roll on without it.  There's no way to go back so I press on.  Oh Lord, please don't let me bonk!  I wonder if Troy will be able to hand me the Perpetuem.  My "flesh" wants to panic but I'm not going there!  I know that the Lord will provide.

I've been able to cruise along at about 20mph.  I'm so surprised again!  Since I'm not as strong as years' past on the hills, I rely on pushing the downhills.  I'm a wimpy descender but I feel the Lord's courage helping with that today.  At mile 27, I fly down the huge hill to Hwy 101.  I'm praying for safety the whole way.  I'm able to go by a girl that I've been leap frogging with.  Soon after I see another aid station.  I'm ready this time to grab Gatorade first and then water.  At the end of the line, as I just grabbed the water, I see Troy with my two bottles.  I grab them both and thank Troy.  It looks like he was able to find a way to make this possible.**  Thanks God for letting me have this fuel!

I'm able to continue my pace amazingly.  My training clearly has not reflected such strength and that's how I know that this is supernatural. 

At the big hill, Chalk Hill, my legs feel great and I'm able to float up the hill.  Living in Auburn really makes a difference in tackling this course.  This definitely doesn't compare! 

The last 10 miles in continue to flow and I'm able to hammer in my aerobars.  My back and neck are getting pretty sore and I hope that that doesn't affect my run.  In fact, this bike ride could make me more tied and hurt my run.  I'm just going with it and interested to see what happens.

I head into Windsor High and dismount leaving my shoes on the bike...and they didn't fall off!  Now I'm able to run quickly to my spot.

T2

Once in T2, I see Troy and the girls.  I rack my bike and put on my gear.  I struggle a bit getting my shoes on and have to stop and make an adjustment.  I wave goodbye to my family and look forward to seeing them at the finish.

RUN

Today my goal is to try to match my Auburn Half Tri run split from the relay I did with Troy.  It may be a steep order given the intensity I rode today.  And, it's already pretty warm out here!  It can only get warmer from here!

The first mile feels really good and my heart rate is low.  I have to be smart and not blow out my poor legs.  I let a group of guys go by me and I'm tempted to match their quick tempo.  Maybe I'll see them down the road.  Mile 1 is 7:41.

I hit the first aid station and ask for water.  There are very few people here to help and I hear no response.  I reach for some cups that look like they have water but they're empty and they fall over like dominoes.  Whoops!  It's like my hands have no feeling and they're just flailing.  Someone says "back there".  "Too late", I say and I decide to continue on.  Within a few minutes I'm totally embarrassed.  I must have appeared unappreciative and panicky...not the image I'm going for at all.  I'll do better up the road!

Mile 2 is 7:55.  I still feel good and I am able to pass one of those guys in that group.  I can see another one ahead.  He is a young guy and I wonder if I'll be able to reel him in.  The next aid station goes better but it too is understaffed.  I'm climbing up one of the two steep hills and trying to save as much energy as possible.  I'm able to keep my heartrate in the 170 range.

Mile 3 is 7:46.  I'm tempted to push hard especially after that hill but I remain patient.  At the next aid station I have to go back and find water.  It's getting hotter so I can no longer afford to pass through.  There are very few girls in my age group and so far I've passed one.  I'm sure there are plenty of fast girls ahead of me...but how far ahead?

Mile 4 is 7:50.  I get to enjoy a nice down slope for the next two miles.  I see Dan Perkins and he looks strong!  We give each other a high five.  I hope he gets a podium spot.***   At the next aid station, I call out for water but others are being helped.  A fellow competitor hands me one of her two cups.  I am so humbled by her generosity!  "Thanks!".  I look for another water on the table and grab it and give it to her.  "Here's another one for you".  Wow, what a great example!

Mile 5 is 7:51 and Mile 6 is 7:45.  At Mile 6, I see Suzi cheering for me.  It's nice to see a familiar face.  Then it's into the Le Crema winery for a big loop around their ponds.  I decide it's time to see what I can do.  My heartrate has been elevated despite little change in my pace.  That means the body is working harder.  The heat is certainly no help.

Mile 7 is 7:34.  I like that!  Exiting Le Crema, I see Suzi and tell her thanks.  In this next mile, I zone in on that young guy...he's coming back!  Along the way, I pass another girl in my age group. 

Mile 8 is 7:51.  I catch the young guy and pass him.  We encourage each other.  I'm still trying to encourage others and ask the Lord to help me give the right encouragement.  I see some folks really struggling and I tell them "hang in there".  Each time I'm waiting to get punched but I really see people perk up and appreciate the words.  Thanks God! 

Mile 9 is 7:47.  I see a girl that passed me on the bike ahead!  Wow, it would be cool to be able to catch her.  I keep seeing a guy pulling two cute kids in a Burley bike trailer.  What a dedicated daddy!  Soon I realize it's the husband of the girl I'm chasing.  It really reminds me of Troy and the girls and it reminds me of a common bond I have with these ladies who are moms, too.  I take cola at the next aid station since I don't know if I'll have the chance later.  So far I've had to back track at at least 2 aid stations.

Mile 10 is 7:55.  I'm happy with that since I'm climbing up.  I bridge the gap this mile and catch that girl.  I tell her that I think her family is great and she of course agrees.  She's running strong so I really don't know if I can hold her off.  At the next aid station I ask for cola but again it's behind me.  I can feel the sugar rush start to fade and I hope to get some at the next and last station.

Mile 11 is 8:01 and for good reason.  I just climbed the last big hill!  Thanks again to Auburn for making that less painful!

Mile 12 is 7:47.  I get cola but had to go back a bit for it.  Oh well, press on to the finish!  It's really hard to push.  Somehow that last mile is never-ending mentally...like that hallway in Poltergeist.  I remind myself that this is a blessing to be able to do this...I cannot slow down! 

Finally I step onto the Windsor High campus!  I'm going as fast as my legs can go.   Now I'm turning to the finish chute and I see Anna waiting to run in with me.  That's the best!  Mile 13 is 7:48.  I grab Anna's hand and her little legs are moving quick.  I love this!  Thanks God for a wonderful day! 

Yeah Erin!

Yeah Dan!

Yeah Trudi!

*Note 1: It turned out to be telephone wire.

**Note 2: Troy later found out that it's only legal for the volunteers to hand off aid.  Though Troy did spend time helping clean up before I arrived, technically he wasn't an official volunteer.  We decided that if I received an award, we would have declined and basically disqualified myself.

***Note 3: He did!