Congrats on your tri! I'm sorry that you got kicked in the stomach (ouch!) and that it set the tone for a rough race. Sometimes I just have a terrible swim and can't get it together for the remainder (and I'm a good swimmer). Usually if by the time I reach the turnaround on the bike I'm not having a fast/good race, I just turn off my watch and HR monitor and tell myself to have fun. I try to remember that I'm lucky to even be doing it at all, and that any day I'm out there is a good day. But... I know the disappointment you feel and I'm sorry it was not the best experience.

And you know what? You get SERIOUS bonus points in my book for riding a mtn bike. Not only do you have to work harder than most with the increased friction of the knobbies, but your bike is probably far heavier than mine. You are a super-stud in my opinion. Makes me look like a sissy-pants girl.

And oh yeah- I love the pics. You look GREAT in all of them!!!!

Do your tri this weekend, and go out there with the attitude of just doing it for fun (and if someone kicks you in the stomach, pull their feet down and swim over them- just kidding- but the thought hopefully made you smile).