Boise 70.3

A big hello from Montana,

I wanted to fill you in on the Boise 70.3 that took place over the weekend. After sitting the last 8 weeks out due to a hamstring injury and I loved every second of my race. In fact, on Wednesday I packed for the race. Wednesday afternoon I UN-packed for the race as I was unsure about competing. By Thursday morning I was RE-packed and on my way to Boise to race.

Boise was going to be a special event for me. There were so many things I was excited about. My parents and Chris were coming. Lots of friends from Montana would be racing. Chloe, a 12 year old from Coeur D'Alene, was all set to hand me my cowboy hat at the finish line. The Boise course is one that I just love - rolling hills on the bike and a run along the greenbelt. Not to mention a roaring crowd in town to get you through the run. A 2pm start which meant a sleep-in! I was most excited about racing Boise because there is nothing that I love more than competing. I love to race and would do it every weekend if I could. To tell me for 8 weeks that I can't do my job, was heart breaking. I was bound and determined to get to that start line and love everything about that day.

The swim started out just fine. I think we were all excited to be swimming in warmer water than last year. After a not-so-stellar swim start, I found a decent rhythm and got through the swim just fine. Part of triathlon is keeping your head in the game for all three events. Even though I didn't swim as great as I would have liked, I knew the best was yet to come.

On the bike I was in my element. We experienced all kinds of Montana weather - hail, rain, sun, wind, thunder, you name it. I worked my way through the women's field on my speedy Scott Plasma. The highlight of the Boise race is the final 5 miles of the bike take you straight into town on Capitol Blvd on closed roads and I found it hard to not be flying down the hill and smiling from ear to ear.

As I was leaving the transition in 2nd place, I heard I was nearly 7 minutes down on Mags and I knew Sam McGlone would be hot on my heels. I feel I executed one of my best runs to date coming back from my longest hiatus from running since I was probably 10 years old. I loved every step I took, I thanked as many people as possible, I found joy in each stride I took, and I was pain free. Truly incredible.

Before the race, I wrote down the goal of finishing in 4 hours and 20 minutes. I knew if I did that, I would be hard to beat. I would have topped the course record by 4 minutes on a challenging course. Running towards the finish, Chloe did the perfect cowboy hat handoff and I crossed the line in second place in 4 hours and 20 minutes. My Lifesport teammate and race winner, Mags was amazing to watch as she was truly untouchable and in her own element setting the fastest 70.3 time this year - 4 hours and 12 minutes.

A big thank you to mom and dad for coming to watch the race, Doug and Ali for the cheering and good times, Sue and Chloe for being super fans (and all these great photos), Chris for his endless support and twittering abilities, and all of my sponsors who are just great. Chris and I enjoyed a relaxing trip home to Montana, stopping at one of Idaho's hot spots. Up next: training camp in Victoria then Vineman.

Enjoy the week!