The day after and the night before

Here I sit the day after the toughest day of my life and the night before the easiest day of my life.

Ironman Hawaii proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. Well into the bike my tidy plans of splits and pace and goal time went out the window. I decided I would just finish. And that's what kept me going. My first IM experience in Florida last year was close to 1.5 hours faster yet felt so much easier. As Boss always says, sometimes it's good to suffer. Yesterday was sufferage times 10. The evening ended with a 90 minute visit to the medical tent--while Rob waited patiently for me to exit. As much as I was a drooling mess by the end, I learned many valuable lessons that I'll be sure to take back to Kona. Yes, if given the opportunity again, I'll return. I have to redeem my horrendous finish line shot that captured the worst yet best athletic moment in my life. Next time I'll finish with a smile.

I had the most incredible support crew of any race so far. My Mom, Aunties, and heaps of friends and other family members were all cheering for me. That's the kind of stuff that makes it hard to quit.

Tomorrow will be comparatively easy to yesterday. I will marry Rob. When you know, you know. And we both knew almost instantly that we'd be together for the long haul. I may not be the most evenly tanned bride to grace the Hawaiian sands, but I'm pretty sure I'll be the happiest.