I was calm all week, and the only nervousness I felt all week was just a bit of nerves before the swim, and usually that's just the anticipation of the whole mass swim start.

I finally found a good place to start this year, and didn't seem to get too knocked around in there, and felt really good. It did seem like a long time getting back to shore from the turn around, but I was sure I was having a fast swim. I looked at the clock when I finished, only to see about an hour! yikes! I eventually found out there was a really strong current, and the people who usually swim 48mins, swam around 52mins. So, I felt better, as that meant my swim had actually been pretty good, and under good conditions, I would have met my 56min goal.

The new changes to the bike course were good, as you added on distance before leaving town, which meant the finish of the bike seemed to come earlier! All the cross winds that we dreaded were out in full force. You have to steer your bike sideways, just to try and go straight! I'm sure the cramps in my arms after the race were from holding on so tight! I was happy with my ride though, as earlier in the week when Heather and I rode Hawi, I almost cried, wondering how I would stay upright! And, even though Natascha kicked all our butts on the bike again, I didn't get crushed as badly as last year, so that was a nice thing! Coming off the bike she had about a 10min lead over me, which I managed to reduce to about 4mins by the finish line. I ran hard, and never gave up, hoping that she might hit a bad patch and I would catch up. Unfortunately that didn't happen, but I still managed to have the 2nd fastest women's run time ever here, of 3:03 (the fastest being my course record of 2:59)

I also kept going throughout the day for another reason. Most of you know from reading my site, that my 2001 Hawaii race suit is being auctioned off to help support triathlete families who were affected by the World Trade Centre disaster in NYC. As of Friday night, Michael Mattone had the highest bid of $1100.00 USD! Well...I thought of it several times during the race and didn't want to disappoint him!!!

Well, I am much happier with 2nd place this year, than I was last year, as it just felt like a better race, even though it wasn't the win. But, at least I feel that when I have a great day, I might be pretty hard to beat as well, and that is comforting.

Thanks so much to everyone who wrote into my guest book before the race, and sent so many positive and encouraging notes, I really appreciated it!
love Lori