Race morning we arrive to the race site and it's raining. Thankfully, it wasn't lightening so we could still race. All of our stuff was soaked before the race even started. The rain was cold so we put on our wetsuits and then headed to the beach...to walk 1.2 miles to the start. This is why I call it Steelhead 71.5. I thought I gave myself a ton of extra time to get to the start, but I guess it took longer with all the people heading that way and walking in the sand. So I jogged part of the way, got there and had to run up the sand dune to use the bathroom By this time I was already sweating and the race hadn't even started. After the bathroom I swam for about 5 min and then headed to the start line. So much for a little time to rest before starting a long race!
Swim went well, my time was pretty fast because of the current, but I felt I could have been faster if there had been some people around my speed to try to catch up with or stay in front of. In T1 I started running down the wrong row, had to turn around and go back. It was still raining a little bit, but not nearly as bad. Bike was pretty good. Nothing eventful on this leg. Only saw a few people drafting, which is good. I may have spaced off a bit for the last 16 miles. By T2 the rain was done and I had put my run shoes in a plastic bag so they were dry! Hooray! Something that wasn't wet and full of sand (yet).
My run was pretty good. I think only 1 min off my PR for any half mary. Some of the hills were a little tough and I thought I was going to poop myself miles 2-6, but luckily I didn't. And lucky for the people around me. I finished up strong, maybe too strong. Ended up with a good time and 3rd overall female. 1st in my age group...and Clearwater World Championship bound! My wonderful and amazing boyfriend is also Clearwater bound because he WON the entire amateur thing in lightening speed, and it was his first 70.3 (or 71.5)!
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