Over

Wow. What do you say after that?

I won't go into a full race recap (because it's boring) but I will say this: it was HOT (about 95 degrees) and WINDY and TOUGH. I played it smart, drank and ate, ignored my watch and the time, and just got through. My times, in the end, were a little longer than I expected - but after seeing nearly 337 people DNF, I consider myself lucky.

The swim was worse than all the horror stories you here - there is nothing in the world that could have prepared me. I got punched (PUNCHED!) in the face and ear, and kicked in the chest so hard I thought I would drown. At around 1000 yards, both calves seized up with cramps - so I swam with "dead legs" for most of the way. The guys were the worst - they would literally clobber you. And the whole swim was like that.

Got out of the water, totally disoriented - there are pictures of me just standing in wetsuit transition, just standing there with my hands in my mouth. Staring. At nothing. Eventually I saw Andy, and he helped me out.

The first bike loop SUCKED - but it prepared me for the second and third, during which I just tucked in, rode areo, took the inclines, used my legs as pistons to cut through the wind. The bike was the best part of the day - I felt super strong and positive.

My little brother dressed up for each leg - here he is in his Lance suit. He stuffed.

Here he is as Forest Gump. It was hysterical. For the swim, he wore his trunks, flippers and a snorkle.

That's me back there in the black bra and skirt, goofing off. I was so happy to be on the run, just loving the moment.

Oh finished - me and Nolan - the biggest issue of the day was salt - my legs started to seize at mile 2 of the marathon, and as you can see by my bra - the salt just poured out of me. I drank a million cups of broth, and then Momo literally poured table salt into my hand at mile 9 and I ate it from it my palm.

Me and Cheese. My belly is all bloated from the water and gatorade and my lips were so burned they are like cardboard this morning. But I am happy - so happy. Oh, that white thing, by the way, was my dad's old hankerchief - my sister gave it to me for extra support, so I kept it tied to my shirt and/or bra through the whole race - talked to it when I got lonely. I also sang a lot of Bruce Springsteen:

"Screen door slammed, Mary your dress swayed/Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio played/Roy Orbinson singing for the lonely/Hey that's me and I want you only/Don't turn me home again, I just can't face myself alone..again."

We have many more pics that my sister took, so when I have a chance when I get home, I will post those - they are pretty amazing.

And finally - I have said it a million time in the last few days but I will never be able to say it enough:

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to all those who cheered from AZ, or from their computers, or their homes, or their phones. Thank you so all your mantras, and words of support, and positive thoughts. It was because of everyone out there that I never consider quitting - NOT EVER - despite how bad I felt. As Eminem says, "Success is my only M-F option, failure's not."