Awesome race report, Melisa!!! I was so caught up in it, I didn't even notice how long it was until the end when I scrolled up (you're quite the writer!).

Congrats again, on an amazing race!!!! So glad you got to enjoy it with your training friends and you were able to share the moment with them!
I was watching live feed during the time that you finished- and I saw you finish with your kids. Didn't even realize it was you until after you crossed- "oh wait- that was mommelisa!!! Go Melisa"

I am seriously thinking of CDA in '09, but those hills scare me. Maybe if I can find something semi-comparable around here to train on (unlikely to find hills that big, tho), it won't be so bad. You made it seem doable! Then again, you're an animal on the bike.

Congrats, 3 time IRONMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!