One week already passed after Ironman Arizona and it was very busy week for me: few days of rest in Phoenix, a beautiful trip to Grand Canyon and a long, very long journey back home to Ukraine. So, back to the Ironman last weekend: I think it was toughest condition of the weather during an Ironman race in my triathlon experience. Till last Sunday I thought I am good with the hot weather, but I was a bit wrong. A strong wind on the bike course was slowing me down sometimes to 23 km/h on the way out and it pushed me so hard and fast after turn around. It looked like I did a fartlek: 3 times 30 km. Even more than usually I looked forward to start to run. But with +93+97 degrees and almost no shadow ( just under the bridges) the run wasn’t that easy and enjoyable at all. And honestly, on the each loop there was a spot when I just wanted to give up. But I am really glad I didn’t. And with a sprinting 400m at the end of an Ironman, thanks Lensey Corbin who gave me this chance J I finished 4^th at the Ironman Arizona 2008 behind Erika Csomor, Michellie Jones and Heather Gollnick. Now I am looking forward to the next races in Europe, of cause after several days of recovery in my rainy but still beautiful city Lvov. 

The first big race of this season done. The women field this year and the previous years as well was really strong. All big girls came to California at the beginning of a triathlon year to compete. It was great for me to be a part of that mix of the champions.
After good training with my new family in Clermont, Florida I felt pretty good, although I didn’t taper yet and I was still a little tired.
The weather was nice and we were lucky, we didn’t have a rain on race morning. I was kind of ready for the cold water, I had some experience a several weeks before at the Great Escape triathlon in Clermont. But I still decided to wear a Blue seventy warm cap and, honestly, even with 15 degrees water temperature it felt hot. Thanks Blue seventy for saving our brains :)
Bike course was fast and flat, I am kidding, just few first miles were like that and then it turned out to the hilly routs with a strong head wind. I didn’t feel very powerful at the end of the bike course and was looking forward to start my favorite part of the race, a run. I thought before the event: even though I’ll have a good race in California it doesn’t mean I will be able to be in top 8, but the small goal I had motivated me a little bit too: a new laptop, as a gift from the prize money, if I would have make some. I guess without my new “baby” you wouldn’t read this blog.

I had also another very nice present after the hard race, it was a Timex camp and meetings with new and old (not age) family members . Unfortunately for me and possibly for somebody else ;) I wasn’t able to joying you guys and girls from the team for a party and a fun part of the camp. Sorry for that and I’ll do better next time. But I was really glad to see my team all together and happy.