The start.

It's triathlon frenzy time here. The volume of my friends' training is wild. I go back and forth between scared for their health and scared that I am just a clueless bimbo for not doing more. I mean, I just took two days off in attempt to develop scabs. There's a goal I never thought I'd have. I haven't swam in 8 days. I am not healing.. and it might have something to do with all the lip sunscreen I smooshed into the road rash for two days in Kona. I had to keep the sweat out. Sweat burns. I almost made Bree throw up - she says I greatly undersold my grossness.

Ironman Wisconsin over the weekend was an incredible race. I was screaming for Hillary Biscay and jumping up and down in tears happy when she crossed the line. Hillary is so much fun, and I love seeing someone do what they love - and succeed. That comeback re-pass at mile 25 shows so much mental strength and strong will.. I am so impressed.

Ironman Wisconsin is the reason I decided to do a triathlon. In 2003, about 8 months pregnant with Sky, I went to Madison to watch my friend compete and witnessed my first triathlon. My friend Julie, also quite pregnant, and I rolled around the run course on mountain bikes. I thought it was insane. I'm sure I said NEVER. And then decided to do a sprint once Sky was on the outside.

Holding my friend's baby in Verona, ready to pop with baby #3 myself.

When Sky was nine months old I did an Xterra race. I hadn't been off-road on a bike since high school. It was ugly. My friend Candes convinced me to do the women's sprint a couple of weeks later. I spent $200 on a very used 58 cm steel fuji road bike with flat pedals. I stood knee deep in the water nursing Sky to make sure I was on empty, and lost Ramsey. I found him just before the gun went off for the baby hand-off. I felt I had a huge advantage in T2 because I didn't have to change my shoes. I came in 9th, placed in my age group, and got my first medal. I was sold.

That was four years ago this weekend. It took me two years to do what I said I never would - Ironman. And I loved it. But I might love the little Na Wahine Sprint Triathlon coming up this weekend more. All the girls are coming out. The past five year's winners are racing. More importantly, there will be at least 100 women doing their first triathlon. And up at the front it's going to be fast. No doubt Bree is recovered from Canada/Kentucky, and I don't expect to see anything of her but her kick-bubbles for about 10 seconds, then she'll disappear. Katherine is killing me in training and will likely kick my ass. Tanya has won every cycling race on the island, and there are some new girls on the rock as well.. I cannot wait to race again, it's been much too long.

My first Ironman - having way too much fun up Palani.