Who does that??

I mean, who races triathlon in December?? Such a silly idea. It's cold. Dark. And after Thanksgiving. Holidays have started, time to "recover", right??!?

Nope, only I would sign up for an Olympic distance race Dec 3rd. I figure I'd give some props to HITS for taking on Ironman Corp. Any organizer that is attempting to put on a super sprint, sprint & olympic distance race on the Saturday, and a half & full on Sunday is truly insane, and thus fits right in with this sports and should be supported. That was the theory.

So, to sum it up, I kept in shape. A little. Swam once a week (sinus are liking not getting wet every day), ran a few times, kept up with Sergio's workouts, and my long ride in on the weekend. While it certainly wasn't going to be a PR race, I figured I would, at least, work off the T-giving gorging.

And this was definitely going to be a family affair. Dave was racing too, so why not bring the parents as well??!? at 4 months old, Chase is not quite to "big boy" status. So off we all met in Palm Desert, CA where the weather was... quite nice really. 

We check in and it occurs to me I have no idea if I'll actually FIT in my wetsuit. Last wearing was this race last year... my last race (and 2 months preggo). But if anyone can pack a sausage.. that's something I can do. I may drown, but at least I will drown floating on the surface with a wetsuit :-)

As it turns out, I didn't drown. And the water wasn't the icy 50-some-odd degrees like it was last year. I'm in no rush. Why rush? That would imply I had a remote chance of being competitive.  I exit the water, "you're doing great!" Of course I am.... I am not face down like a limp noodle in the water. 

Off on the bike. Feeling pretty good. Winds are manageable. I start counting women returning from the turn around to get an idea of where I am in the pack. I loose track. Not sure if that was a boy or a women who pasted me in the other direction. 

I exit the bike and realize my last brick was, well, last year at this race. Ooh, legs aren't going to think I'm so cool now. So let's just get this run started. Yup, legs are regretting the idea of running. No speed. Just a rhythm. Ok fine, punishment accepted. Dave passes me on his return home after the turn around and has a look of shock. What??!? I think. 

And then I count the women in front of me.  One... two..... holy mole. I'm three..... oh shit. That's overall. HITS is a mass start for all the women so you know where you are. No waves. Just a gun. 

Let's try not to get passed by too many women on the way home I think. 

And then I finish. Third overall. My best placing ever. Until I look at the final results. Second?!? What??! The women in second was pulled from the final results. Not sure why. She's a stud. Rumor has it she did the IM the day before. Ouch. Hell of a cool down. 

So blessed by Chase... and got the hubby a little worried he was going to be run down... it ended more than ok. 

Happy riding!