Race time according to my HRM: 1:22:26. I burned 926 calories! I don't think I've ever burned that many calories before that I know of.
As I said in my last post, I was so nervous and my husband was stressed out because he was moving a shed over in our backyard since we are getting a new storage building tomorrow. This was a huge project--big pain in the butt. He did not appreciate me going off to my race in the middle of that day. But I've had this planned for weeks and he knew it.
So he just made resentful remarks. Oh, well.
The race was in an area that I've never been before--on some back roads leading to a lake. Then I didn't know anyone there. Wasn't doing this with anyone--completely on my own. I was thinking how adventurous this was of me. Not alot of people would do this. (Little pat on my back.)

So I struck up a conversation with a girl and an older gentleman. She did last week's event and I asked her about the bike and how the hills were. She said it was pretty hilly, but that there was one really awful hill. I asked if there was a good down hill ahead of it to help you get momentum. No, she said, that's the problem and last week she had to get off and walk her bike up the hill. That made me feel better, in case I had to do this too, as she has done more events than I have.

So the first leg was a one-mile run. Everyone was really fast and I was way behind the pack. In fact the only person behind me was an older man who couldn't run, he just power walked. I thought, I'll bet he's fast on the bike. And I was right, as he passed me on the bike leg.
I did that mile in about 10 mins. The 11 mile bike portion took me about an hour, a minute or 2 more, I think.
There were lots of hills, some tough, but nothing I couldn't handle. I'm just not very fast as after a tough hill, I coast to let my HR get back down. So I was alone for most of the ride, except when the guy past me and I knew I was then last.
I'm 10.5 miles into it, almost done and I'm thinking, I wonder where this huge hill is that the girl described. Maybe I'm tougher that I thought. Maybe it was that curvy hill. Yeah, can you see what's coming?
Right before getting to the end, I see this massive hill that curves and curves up and up. Just flat land leading straight up. Now, at this point I'm tired and my legs are burned out from all the hills. I got about a quarter of the way up and hopped off to walk it up. So glad I did. I huffed and puffed just walking up with my bike. I didn't feel as bad since I knew that girl did too.

So I'm dead last going into the trasition area for the bike-to-run. And I get off my bike and my legs feel like jelly and then they turn to lead. I tell myself, Just get running, if you have to walk, that's okay.
But guess what?! I ran the whole last mile! It was so tough with lead legs and I was so tired. But somehow I just kept pushing a little more and a little more. I passed the older guy who was walking again. And that is the only reason I didn't finish last.
People were so great. So many were packing up and going home as I was starting my last run, but they would cheer me on and say encouraging things. Very nice people.

I felt so good when I finished. I don't care that I finished where I did. My goal was to finish. It was a personal goal only, as I have never done this before.

I gotta say, there were moments where I was asking myself, why am I doing this? I'm never doing this again.
But when it was over, I was so glad I did it and I want to do more! Although I can't imagine at this point doing more milage!

I forgot sunblock and got sunburned pretty bad on my arms and the bottom of my thighs. My arms are in pain no matter how much aloe gel I put on. And it's such a farmer's burn because of my shirt. Oh, well. I'm so white that I burn very easily and I don't tan at all! My face is that blotchy sunburned, if you know what I mean. I hate that. Taught me a lesson, though. I won't be forgetting it next time.

This was a bare basics race. I got a shirt, but afterwards, there were no awards, no bananas, no gatorade. Nothing. Unless they did that while I was finishing! But I doubt it.
So as you can imagine I am so exhausted right now. A really good kind of exhausted.
The first thing I did after the race was sit in the truck and call my sister. I told her all about it as I was pretty pumped.


My husband continued to be in a sulky, resentful mood when I got home making comments about how he couldn't get things done while I was gone and stupid things like that. I definitely think he is jealous too. Carter didn't get a nap and they ate junk for lunch.
But oh well, I got away and was able to accomplish something amazing. I love challenging myself like this and having these goals that push me farther and farther.
Oh, and this probably doesn't surprise anyone, but he has never asked me how the race went. Has not asked me one single thing. Such a jerk.

I feel like I had more to say but I am getting so sleepy. I think I am going to sleep really deeply tonight! I had on my schedule to go to bootcamp in the morning, but I don't think so. I need to recover. My legs are going to be sore after this. Good night! And thanks for all your support. I read some comments before the race and it really helped to know you all were behind me.