Life's Ambition - Hermosa Beach Race Report

"you may feel a competitive streak today as you strive to be the best in every situation" 

this is how my dailyom horoscope began today. 

the alarm went off at 4:15 am and it was pitch black outside.  welcome to tri world.   mike and i arrived early, set up our areas, and were ready to go.  he was in the first wave so i was able to see him out of the water while i'll waited anxiously for my start.  it was refreshing not to be a "newbie" anymore.  i've got this swim i thought, until i hit the water.  it was choppy than last year but manageable,  i think i only got kicked once which was a definite bonus!  i finished a minute and change later than last year and ran up the transition to my bike knowing i'd have to make it up now or never.  the course is flat and three loops around, the bike felt great.  i kept checking to see who was around me for two reasons,  one.  i wanted to make sure i was passing anyone with the numbers 30-34 on their left calf and two. to make sure no one could hear me talking out loud to myself  "its not an option to slow down"  "st george will NOT be this nice" "you WILL do this".  and i did.  off the bike, a quick chat with mike and off to my run feeling strong.   i found her within the first 2 minutes, a 24 year old who passed me.  she was my incentive.  you must beat her to the finish, i don't care how you do it, just do it.  visions of the ironman from yesterday filled my head as MACCA overcame to take the win.  (i know a little different, but you get what i'm saying)  i caught her with a 1/4 mile left and flew by her to the finish. 

another one bites the dust. 

1:09:36. there's no way i made the top 10 in my AG this year. however,  the best part about thinking you did a lot worse is realizing you  actually did much better.  number 6.  maybe next year i'll reach that podium!