I am a "Woman of Steel"!

I had an AMAZING experience this morning!! Got up early and picked up a couple friends, then we headed down to American Fork for the Woman of Steel Triathlon. It was raining hard while we drove down. going past the point the sky was a lot more broken up than it was in Salt Lake. It stopped raining! We got to the race and fixed up our transition areas then walked around met up with a bunch of our TTT girls and then made our way to the swimming. This by far is my biggest fear! 18 months ago i swam my first pool length! I have gone my whole life with a fear of water.  I didn't know what was going to happen I was just hoping to finish this part!!
Lined up in our times. (You line up according to what you can swim 300 meters in)I decided to start close to the back of the 7 minute while my friends lined up at the front of the 7's. I talked to the ladies around and then Don showed up! He helped calm my nerves and after a few minutes the race started!! We watched the swimmers and slowly started to move. I decided to go talk to Jessica and Stacey. the line kept moving and it started to sprinkle again. Stacey said she saw lightening. And I didn't want to get my swim canceled so I just decided to jump in after them. Finally it was time, Stacey jumped in, then Jessica, then it was my turn. I jumped in and just went for it, telling myself over and over again to just relax and enjoy it. First 100 the lady behind me caught me and passed me. I started to doubt myself feeling bad that I got in way before my time. But I just kept going. Each turn someone was there to cheer me on, Don was on one side of the pool and Blaine and Rykker (Jessica's husband and son) were on the other side. They all kept me going. I didn't backstroke once! I kept in my form and as I turned my last time I saw the lady behind me right on me. I pushed hard she started to pass. Right at the end as we finished the swim I jumped out in front of her and was feeling AWESOME!! I finished my toughest part!!!
I ran right past Jessica with a pat on the butt and right to my bike. it was windy and rainy, threw my shoes on, helmet and was off on the bike! As I came around the corner I saw and ambulance and behind the ambulance they were working on a girl strapping her to aboard checking her head :( this was downhill with a sharp turn at the bottom. As soon as I got around the corner I took off. right into a mild hill then the big hill. I passed Stacey about here. My quads were on fire but I just kept pedaling. It stopped raining, I felt so tired. As I came upon the Alpine Highway I saw Blaine he started cheering me on and I captured his energy, he said Don was right ahead. I mashed the pedals and took off. I got going about 25 mph by the time I got to Don. I kept going, it was slightly downhill and I just kept going. I think my top speed was 35.5mph. Down the hill I went and around the corner to repeat the course again. Ambulance was gone, quads still burned but not as bad. Came upon the Alpine Highway again, Blaine was gone but as I turned and saw Don again he was there with Blaine. I mashed the pedals and took off!!! It started raining. I didn't go as fast this time because the rain was soooooo bad It was POURING!!! Top speed this round was probably 25-27. Don, Blaine and Ryker drove by and I heard them cheer again! down the hill around the corner, around the other corner slight incline back to the transition. Jumped off my bike and about fell over. My legs felt like jello!
I walked a bit till I got my legs back then ran to my area pulled off my shoes, helmet, grabbed my visor and put my running shoes on quickly and was on my way-with my legs that felt like bricks! I was pretty happy to still see bikers on my run. We were pretty far back so I didn't think there would be so many I walk ran till I got my running legs back. I passed a couple girls walking their bikes up the hill. One more tiny walk break and then I didn't stop. Just kept going. Happy I grabbed my watch so I could see how far I had come. As I round the last corner I started watching for the cemetery. Finally it was in sight! I knew the finish line was just passed the cemetery. A lady and I passed each other back and forth, her kids started running along her right in front of me. I thought it was cute. As we turned passed the cemetery I took off right passed her. Wondering if I would puke cuz I had ran so hard. The last mile I was sub 9 minutes which is so good for me. Then i crossed! I did it! I made it across the finish line into Don's arms! I wanted to cry I felt so good!!! I did it!!!! I did it!!! I did soo much better than I ever imagined!!! 1:32:25. I had a headache most of the time but fought through it!! The BEST part!!! Are you ready for this??? I came in 136th!! I am not positive the number of people but it was alphabetical and I was bib 705!!!!!! AAAAHH!!!!
still anxiously awaiting the posting of results!