This weekend past I competed in the Top Gun Sprint Triathlon in Terra Verde, FL at the great Ft. Desoto. It was a 400m ocean swim, 10 mile TT, 3.35 off road beach run. I was really excited going into this race as I knew that it would be a challenge for me after coming off of 2 70.3's back to back. I trained through this race and had good workouts leading up to the race. As Saturday approached I was both excited and on a great high as this race was a big one with 1272 athletes showing!!!! I woke at 3:45 AM (yuck) and did my usual routine and prep for the day. I arrived at the race venue and collected all of the necessary materials and went on about my race prep. On this day I chose to wear my 2009 Team USA World Championship short in honor of the Olympics!!! I am always overcome with emotion when the Olympics come around every 4 years. I was a competitive gymnast for 13 years leaving the sport at 20 due to repeated injury, it was always my dream on going to the Olympics!!! I coached the sport of 15 years and was a national coach for USA Gymnastics for some time. I did get to work with one of the 2012 Team USA Olympic members who was named an alternate for the team. Any how, I did my usual warm up run listening to the song "Til You Collapse," by Eminem (my theme song) and felt great!!! Swim As the my heat time approached I thought in my head put it all out there, I have been in this mode of thinking after I was so close to qualifying to Kona this year, I literally crossed the finish line at the qualifier puking. I entered the water and took a spot right in the front not what I normally do I like to ease up. The whistle blew and off we went into the clear warm water. I started well and as I was swimming parallel to the shore I looked down and saw a big grey mass on the bottom, I sped up thinking it was a shark!! As I turned home at the buoy I felt that I was having quite a fast swim and indeed I did against the current to I did a 5:39 another PR in my swimming this year!!! I busted out of the water and just charged into the transition area. I did my usual transition a little slow this day as I did wear my speed suit. Bike Time I ran my bike over the timing mat and was off!!! This was the second time racing my new Orbea Ordu, I used my Zipp 404 Clinchers and Speed Fill hydration system (awesome!!). I had to pass a lot of other racers without getting a penalty as the officials on the motorcycle were right next to me. I looked at my bike speed for the first 4 miles it ranged from 25.6 to 26.67 I thought WOW!!! As I eased into this all out sprint I said to myself to just keep moving and do not get comfortable (as I like to do sometimes). I maintained an average pace of 24.9 mph for the 10 miles of the bike portion of this race for a time of 24:14!!! Another PR on this new bike so smooth!!! I entered the transition area and had a smooth transition. I slapped on my Kinvara's and was off. Run [caption id="attachment_2583" align="alignnone" width="300"] Awards with some awesome ladies!!! I am in the dress.[/caption] I entered the run with energy and confidence as I have had severe Achilles Tendinitis this year!!! My running has always been my strength but, [caption id="attachment_2585" align="alignnone" width="300"] Finishing the race!!![/caption] this tri season I have had ups and downs with it due to injuries. The run portion of this course is always long they say 5k but it is really 3.35 miles. I ran my 1st mile with no problem as it was on the asphalt and the remaining was along an off road very unsteady muddy beach path. I did hold back a little of this portion due to avoiding another flare up of AT. I was weaving in and out of other athletes and was feeling really boxed in as it became a single track trail. I managed to get through this gridlock and find my way to the finish line. As I crossed the finish line I noticed that I had finished the race in 57:33 and accomplished my goal of under an hour!!! The best part was seeing my husband and 2 boys (my beagles Moose and Baxter) that just made my day!!! Post Race My goal for this race was a top 10 OA finished and placing in my AG. I did know that there would be some pro elites at this race which always ups the bar of competition. My age group alone 35-39 has been the most competitive thus far I have been in the 25-29, 30-34, and now 35-39!! I guess you see that I have been around for a long time. I went a looked at the results and saw that I placed 3rd in my AG at first I was a little let down but when I looked at who was 1st and 2nd I know that I had a great race. Only a little over a minute separated 1-4 that is it!!! I placed 7th OA/ 553 women, 3rd AG!!! I had a great day and ran with it!!! Final Thoughts In all of my many, many years of racing I have always gone by perceived effort I do not wear a watch (but I do have a basic bike computer) due to the pure fact that every day and every race will be different. I just know that I will dwell on my times. I like the element of surprise it makes every race that much more special and unique for me!!! So, in all after a massive bike crash with major bruised ribs in April and severe Achilles Tendinitis I will have to say I am back on track for nationals and have a more positive outlook on racing and staying focused on my goals!!!!