Give it a TRI!

Today was my 4th triathlon - 2nd Olympic distance (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). It was the Provo Triathlon. I have trained for a few months, so it was nice to finally get here and do it. I was a bit worried about it for a few reasons: 1) I had 2 tire blow-outs on what were supposed to be my longest briks (Bike-Run), so I never got the full training in that I needed. In addition, I actually (yes) ran over my rim with our truck and had to plunk $150 for a new one. 2) I've had a sore throat the past few days. 3) Today was the hottest day of the year in Utah so far and I have been mostly enjoying cooler spring temperature training.
That said, I think it went pretty well. The start on the swim was a bit late, and their buoy system was a bit frustrating because it wasn't a direct triangle swim. More like an isosceles or something, so I kept having to re-orient myself and I'm sure I wasted probably 5 minutes just getting back to the right direction. Also, no wetsuit strippers.
Oh the joyous bike. My biggest weakness. This year I had clipless pedals, so that helped, but I did have some girls pass me, which kills me. It was a loop course, and the Olympic athletes had to go around 4 TIMES. It was a pretty course, so that was nice, but the road going out was not good at all. I was PRAYING not to get a flat. The good parts were that Jason was there to cheer me on as I lapped and we did get to ride on some new asphalt.
I was so thankful to be done with the bike, but facing the run was a bit daunting. It was already so hot. Olympic athletes had to go around the campgrounds, out on the jetty, and past transition 3 TIMES. My affectionate name for the jetty is VALLEY OF DESPAIR. It's such a long out and back & when you turn around, the sun is just glaring on you. They really should have had a water table there. As it was I was taking 2 cups when I got to the water station and pouring one of them on my head. It was also so disheartening to go past transition 2 times and see all the sprint people who were done and hanging out and know that you have so much longer to go.
Anyway, that's my Provo Tri. My time was 2:48, which was 8 minutes faster than my first Olympic (which was before kids)! I was 4th in my age division (bummed that I didn't get in the top 3), but still felt good about it & glad that it's over with!
Here's my "victory speech": Thanks first goes to my Heavenly Father - to whom I was constantly praying "I need thee every mile" - He never forsook me. Thanks also goes to my hubby, who was so good about waking up with the girls in the morning while I was training - even when he'd stayed up till all hours of the morning studying. I love you. Thanks to my little girls. I wore one of their little hair clips in my hair to give me inspiration and strength. Thanks, mom, for watching the girls this morning while we took off at 5:30am and for cheering me on. Also thanks Edwards clan for coming with your cute signs and smiles. LOVE YOU GUYS!