Wednesday evening I arrived in Kansas City with my kids and my husband Jude at the Courtyard Marriot.  The next few days the kids played and I did a few workouts at the Platte City Community Center (YMCA).  The race venue is GORGEOUS, and the course was challenging, but fun. 

The day before my team mate Mary Miller and I did a short ride on the course and swim in the lake to check out the course.  The lake was so low, we had to wade and run for quite a while going out and coming in - very muddy and slippery. 

Race day was PERFECT weather (thank goodness, compared to last year's crazy storm)!  I was in the third wave, a great position.  As the gun went off, I was not one of the first to get out in front for the water running, but soon started swimming and caught up.  I felt strong in the water, but could not tell where everyone else was.  Exiting the swim was good considering the slippery mud, but I made the best of it. 

T1 was good, and I was off on the bike.  I kept asking myself - "Are you going as hard as you can right now?"  Most of the time I could answer yes, but a few extra grinding peddle strokes were sometimes needed to get me back to breathing really hard!  It was so amazing passing people on the bike - I passed at least two of the women in my age group who were quicker in the water.  Around the last turn I went smooth, but then I was looking at the VERY EDGE of the road, and cursing did not do the job to get me back on the road without a big CRASH!!  Somehow I got back up and got back on the bike - it was LOUD, but seemed to be working OK. After a minute of tentative riding I pushed hard into T2, knowing there were a few gashes on my shoulder and elbow. 

T2 was good, and I was off to the winding trails for the run.  After the first minute I passed the only girl in my age group I could see - I felt pretty good, except for my road rash and stiffness in my right glutes.  One woman gasped at my cuts, but I tried to put it out of my mind.  I remember thinking I have to be careful not to fall again, but I kept working on good form and keeping a high cadence.  About mile 5 at the top of a hill I got passed by a woman in my age group, but I could not stay with her to gut out the finish. 

My run was on the slow side for me today, but I am so proud of myself for continuing after my crash, and working hard to the finish.  I am tougher than I thought! 

The VERY BEST part of the race was seeing my husband and my kids - Shanti, David, Asha, and Aliya - at the finish line to congratulate me!!  It meant so much to have them there.  I did not have my best race, but I am the runner up to the 35-59 National Champion!  Pretty great.  And...I get to go to Switzerland for the World Championship.  I am so honored and excited to represent the United States over there.  It was a GREAT DAY!