I just want to post a bit about my day yesterday. I am sure I will expand on the stories until you are tired of hearing about it. The swim was horrendous and the marine life was the least of my problems. The water temp was 81 degrees and I had decided not to wear my wetsuit. You do not realize how much you are protected by your wetsuit. I came out of the water with huge scratches on both legs. Unlike IM Canada, I did not cry in the swim. I got mad and then I started punching back. People have NO idea how to cite in the water and this is one skill that Coach Paul cannot stress enough. I got punched so hard in the left Ta Ta that it brought tears to my eyes, kicked in the face and smacked on the side of my head but I did some damage of my own in defending my little space in the water and it is a good thing that the profanity police were not patrolling the water. :) My big fear in doing this race was my cycle since I struggled so much last season. There were rolling hills and a few false flats but the course was beautiful. I got to see Texas the way I imagined it was like. I was so happy with my bike. It was hot and really windy (although a native said that that was just a breeze yesterday). It was cycling through the farmland that I most felt the presence on my brother Kevin. When I started out on the run the heat was unreal and I had stomach cramps from being in aero position for so long. Then the leg cramps started. I knew I had time so I did more of a power walk than a run. My goal was to finish. A few days before the race Christine Charest Monty reminded me to enjoy my day and I definitely did. The volunteers were indescribible. They were the nicest, most helpful people I have ever met and I took time to thank them. They were only equalled by the cheering crowds. I saw Glen getting out of the swamp - sorry, I meant the swim. I saw Glen and Paul again at the beginning of the third loop of the run and then again running down the chute to the finish line. This time I high fived everyone and I went across that line with a smile on my face and my arms in the air. After congratulations and hugs from Coach Paul, Glen and I came back to the hotel but of course I could not sleep because I was still on an endorphin high. We headed to the finishers tent this morning. It is kind of funny to watch the line of "penguins" waddling side to side heading to the finishers tent. Everyone was feeling the effects of the race. So we are all packed up ready to leave Texas tomorrow morning. I will definitely be back. Maybe not for the ironman, but just because I think Texas just may be my zen place. The various pains have worsened - I chaffed so badly under my arms and my back that I tore off skin and stuck to the bed sheets. Glennie has bandaged me up the best he can. The legs seem to have a mind of their own and are not listening to me. The quads will no longer go down stairs. My back has seized up and I have a raging bladder infection. But none of it matters. I am just so happy with my race - why I did it and how I did it. I could not have down it without all the good wishes and thoughts of my friends but that is my next blog and may be better said in person. See y'all soon. Lisa