Laura, you are one tough and smart cookie! I admire your decision to stop when you body told you to, and not keep going on like your mind probably wanted to. It's soooo hard to DNF (I've done it), but especially at an IM. I hurt for you, but I'm sooooooo very proud of you!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your race experience with us. We're all so proud of you for making it so long under pretty brutal conditions!