HE DID IT!!! His first half-ironman and he CRUSHED his goal time of 6 hours and did it in 5:21!!! Seventh in his age group!!! Plus, he looked strong the entire time and extra awesome with his fanny pack…..best gel/fuel holder ever:)

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First of all, let’s talk about his ‘special’ drink that he made for the bike portion.  As he was mixing it together it made me completely nauseated.

Into his cocktail went powerade, powergel (berry blast and strawberry creme) and a gu (gingerbread vanilla).

He said it was gross (way too sweet) but it worked perfectly.  He will be doing it again but next time he wants to add a little water.

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He also tried the Hammergel apple-cinnamon and absolutely loved it…..as long as you have lots of water to take with it!

The morning started off VERY EARLY and we soon found out that there seems to be a ridiculous amount of mosquitos by the lake in the early a.m.  They sucked about 5 ounces of blood out of me!

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He KILLED the swim and was outta that lake like a speeding bullet!

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We started off on the bike together but 7 miles in he got a FLAT TIRE…..I gave him my bike (good thing we are the same height and have the same size feet).  I will just have to get that training ride in another day!  We fixed the tire and then drove to go find him and give him back his bike! His average bike pace was 20.2 pace….DANG!!

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Come to the Utah Half-Ironman with me next year…the scenery is incredible!

Can I also tell you about my proudest moment ever! If you are a long time reader you know that Billy used to be a running-haterer.  He ran his first HALF-MARATHON (with Jon) and LOVED IT!! He said he felt amazing and could have done another 13.

I have created a monster. Watch out future races, Billy and I will be tearing it apart!

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CONGRATS JON….you are my HERO!!! You did absolutely incredible!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go vote for Rachelle……HERE!!!! She needs your help to make it to Boston 2012.  Just go to that website and type in RACHELLE and you will help her big time!  You can vote everyday for her until Sept. 15!

Also, you have to go visit Devin’s blog to enter a GIVEAWAY!

You still have time to enter my GIVEAWAY too!!!

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Have you ever done a Half-Ironman or Ironman?  Have you ever watched one?

-I want to do one now after watching such amazing athletes…….they are truly inspiring!

What are you/did you have for lunch today?

-Billy is out grilling me some chicken…..I married a keeper.

Any special fueling combinations that you have tried and stuck to?

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79 comments

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way to go BIL, I can’t believe how fast he went!! that is so awesome!! and that is so exciting for Billy!! ya’ll are gonna rock some races together when you’re back in full force!

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So my cute hubby did an ironman in May and it was incredible to watch! I mean seriously those people are so admirable! I only do marathons and watching the IRONMAN made me feel inadequate :) Also I met someone who knows you from highschool…Jamyn Swenson Miller. She was talking about her “good runner friend” :)

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AHHHHHH You know Jamyn….that makes my day!! We should all get together for fro-yo! That is so so cool that your husband did an IRONMAN…I bet that was amazing for you to watch because you saw how hard he worked for so long!

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Yes I’m ALWAYS down with fro-yo!!! It would be way fun to meet and chat with you about your running. You are fun to read. We really should get together sometime :)

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That is AWESOME!!! He crushed it out there. It looks like a really nice coarse. I had done a half and I am about to do another in October but I will have to look into Provo for next year.
You should know though that you giving him your bike in violation of USAT rules and could have cost him a penalty, also having someone on the coarse running with you or biking is another violation. Just giving you a heads up, I would hate for him (or you) to get time added to that awesome race time in the future. I think all the rules are insane but they are good to know, I almost got DQ’d because I rode my bike up to transition about 2 hrs before the race without my helmet buckled, gulp, that would of stunk.
We had leftover fried chicken (Pioneer Women’s recipe) for lunch, yum.

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YOU HAVE DONE A HALF ALREADY…you are my hero! yes, come to Utah!! Thanks for the heads up…..we appreciate you!

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If I can do a half anybody can do a half. Try it, your gonna love it.

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Wow way to go Billy, crazy guy he is, but amazing!! That fuel concoction does sound pretty gross haha… I have never tried anything like that, my stomach is so sensitive during races!

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I lived in Germany for a while and had a chance to see the Roth Ironman and it was unbelievable. I have done a couple of sprint triathlons but dream of going to Kona someday. We will see. Billy did awesome!

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AHHHH you saw the Roth…that would be awesome!! Okay, let’s go to Kona together and do it!

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Wow! Way to go BIL! And Billy too! Both these guys are rockstars!

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I just did my first 70.3 and am hooked. Hoping a full IM is in my future one day! Congrats to Jon: huge accomplishment!!

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I LOVED reading all about your 70.3…..you know your my hero right? I need more details on the full in your future:)

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Congrats to your BIL. Last Sunday I did a half iron relay. Never have a felt quite so lazy for “only” racing a half marathon. With my fresh legs I passed a ton of men several of them and they said things like “please tell me you are doing the relay” I almost felt like I was cheating not being tired at the beginning. I was really there to cheer on friends that did the whole thing, it was just amazing to see first hand what they were putting themselves through.

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CONGRATS for doing the relay, that is awesome!!! That would be awesome to see first hand what those athletes are going through….we should do it so we know for ourselves what it feels like:)

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I had lentils and sweet potatos for lunch today! Congrats on the relay :)

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I’m so impressed by people who do half and full ironmans, I can’t even imagine working out for 5, 6, or 11 hours straight!

want to know something crazy? I have NEVER fueled on a run before…I regularly run 15 – 16 miles every saturday and I don’t take anything with me besides water…one time I thought I would try some gatorade and it gave me the worst stomache ever!!! I guess if I ever ran a marathon i would probably need to learn to fuel, but I can definitely run 15 miles on an empty stomach.

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NEVER….wow!! Are you starving when you get home? That is pretty awesome, you don’t have to worry about packing fuel or anything!

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PS I THINK YOU SHOULD DO A MARATHON:)

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haha no, I’m not starving…but ever since I was young I was never hungry before noon…I guess it’s just how my body works.
I tried training for a marathon one time, but the super long runs (like 20 miles) were too mentally difficult for me…I got so bored and all I wanted to do was stop. I guess I need to find a running buddy or something.

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My first Half Ironman is September 25th! I am so excited, I can’t wait :) I think I am going to sign up for an Ironman sometime this week for the summer of 2012. Obviously the triathlon bug got me :) Did ya’ll catch any flack for helping out your BIL? They get pretty serious about unregistered participants out here! It would be awesome to have someone to run with at the end of it!

No special fueling combos just water, heed, and powergel (+caffiene) do just fine for me. All separate of course :)

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AHHH I am SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! No one said anything to me (I was only out there for a few miles and the hard core people were up ahead:) GOOD LUCK GIRL, I can’t wait to hear all about your half IRONMAN!

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YAH!!! Great job Billy!! I did a 70.3 in May and it was amazing and hard and awesome!!! My hubby watched and now he does tris with me!! I think you should give it a try!! You’d be amazing!!

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I really want to!! okay, will you be my coach mrs. half iron woman…you are amazing!

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TOTALLY!! I’m hopefully taking a Level I USAT Triathlon Coaching class soon!! I’d love to let you be a guinea pig, I mean coach you to greatness..EASIEST TRINEE EVER when you already are AMAZING and have the bike and run in the bag. How is your swimming? =)

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Wow, that’s a great time!

I’d love to do an Iron Man, but since I don’t like to bike or swim, I guess I’ll have to stick to marathons.

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okay that fannypack seriously cracks me up! Congrats to him! He seriously did amazing! I want to go with you next year, that looks gorgeous! I love AZ but the scenery here is kind of lacking….

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I LOVE THE FANNY PACK TOO!! :) I was so excited to see it making an appearance.

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Wow! Well done to him! I’ve seen an Ironman in New Zealand…it was amazing! I thought of you this weekend as I counted people that I passed on the road in our Hood to Coast relay. I wanted to count out loud but just kept it quiet. :)

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BAHAHAH CONGRATS on an awesome relay!! Um, you should have counted out loud…..speed demon!

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ahhh way to go BIL! so so proud!! Cheers from the Cotters!

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Love this! First of all thank you so so much for mentioning my contest. You are seriously amazing and I appreciate it so much! Secondly how rediculous is it that I nearly teared up when I read that Billy ran the half with him? I am such a dork but honestly that is just so freaking awesome. Congrats to your BIL what an amazing accomplishment!

Someday I will do a HIM. Some day we will do one together k!

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Wow! Your BIL rocked! So did Billy! I think it’s so neat that you all have this activity to bond over.

We grilled chicken for lunch today. With mashed potatoes and fresh fruits and veggies. So good!

I don’t run long distances like you do, but typically before I workout/run I have a banana and peanut butter.

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Awesome job to your BIL! That is awesome and way to go Billy! You totally created a monster but that is so awesome! Can’t wait to hear more about his running! I recently have converted my husband into a runner. We go on run/walks together since he can’t sustain the mileage for a long run we do the mix between the two.

Last weekend I watched the Triathlon National Championships in Burlington, Vermont and was amazed at the whole experience. I don’t know how people swim, then bike and then after that go for a run! I am in awe and amazement at anyone that does all three ! Craziness!!!!

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I wanted to try my first HI this year, but life got too busy for the training. I’m hoping to do one next summer! Any idea what training plan your BIL followed?

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WOW, that is AWESOME! I used to always eat a slice of wheat toast with peanut butter and banana slices on top before runs- yum! :)

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Uhm… *chuckling*….Janae…Devins a dude. (well, I got an e-mail from Devin the guy, maybe his wife e-mailed you..? lol)

CONGRATULATIONS BIL! Thats amazing :D He killed it!
and congrats to Billy too!! I can’t wait to hear about you guys running races together :D

I’ve never done an Iron Man…and the thought seems so daunting.
Hope the rest of your Sunday goes awesome!

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Oh goodness. Check out that view behind him in the photo of him on the bike! Holy smokes! That’d be my inspiration!

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Uh-oh, look at your hubby, you DID create a monster! Now who is going to take your race pictures for your blog?!
Congrats to the B-I-L, that’s a huge accomplishment.

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TOTALLY diggin that fanny pack! You should tell your BIL to sign it and use it as a giveaway! ;)

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WOW!!!! Congrats BIL!!!!! Awesome.. and SO inspiring :-D My DREAM is would be for my boyfriend lo love uning just as much as I do.m He will run 4 miles max with me.. after that he just hates it. He is super fit, does Jiu Jitsu (just passed his instrucor exam!!!)

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AHHHHHHH silly touch pad!!!

ANYWAY…. I hope that someday my boyfriend and I can run longer races together… but if not that’s okay :) I am so glad we can share SOME running and fitness together. I think that is really important.

I missed lunch today because after waking up and having breakfast at 10:30… I went back to sleep for 5 hours!!! We went to a birthday party and let’s just say I was in desperate need of that sleep. Now I feel pretty stellar ;)

Again… Congrats Billy! SO inspiring :)

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Wow! Congrats to your BIL! He did awesome! He sure looked like he was having fun and it was a cinch for him! ;)

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Wow, that is amazing! I’m glad you were riding with Jon, so that you could give him your bike!! :)

For lunch, I made buffalo chicken wraps (recipe to follow later this week). And I made chili in a slow cooker today and we had that for dinner. It was SOOOO yummy, warm and comforting!

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I admire triathletes. They are hardcore. I can’t swim with my face in the water and I’m afraid of biking (a combo of clipping in and unfriendly biking areas where I live). So happy for Hungry BIL. The fanny pack may just catch on. I hate the teeny tiny pockets in my running shorts.

No super special food combo. I underfueled for my run on Saturday so I’m trying Hammer Gels on my next long run.

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OHMY GOSH GIRL!! first off i know how excited you were to do that bike ride and the fact that you just so willingly went with the flow IS AMAZING GIRL!!!!<333
and um HE ROCKED THAT HALF IRONMAN like RIDICULOUS!!!!!!
and BILLY RAN HIS FIRST HALFFF!!!!! what was his time?!! i love how you are so strong and accepting of easing back into running! girl you are so inspiring to me i love you<33

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Wow that amazing! Congrats to Jon and your hubbie!

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That is so awesome! I wanted to go and watch the race sooooo bad but I had to work :( He is my hero too. I have said that I will do an Ironman before I die but the fact that I can’t swim puts a bit of a damper on things. I LOVE that he has that fanny pack on in every picture I’ve ever seen of him :D

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Congrats to your BIL, he is lucky to have so much support =) I finished my first half ironman this summer and signed up for a full ironman today, I can’t wait to start training!

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My mom does Ironmans and she qualified and is racing Kona for the 2nd year in a row. She has definitely taught me age is just a number……she is amazing!

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I’m totally jealous. I always remember watching those iron man specials on NBC growing up and wanted to do one. I think doing a half one would be a good start. I’m so jealous.

I can’t figure out how to carry a water bottle and run at the same time. It just feels akward. But I do love my power gels.

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Congrats to Billy!!! AWESOME!! I will vote for your friend. :)

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two words for your BIL: beast status.

please pass this on to him :)

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BAHAHAH He says thank you VERY much!

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O.K. I cry “no fair” I did my first 70.3 this year and had to wait 25 minutes for tech support to find me and fix my flat (I had already fixed it once.) And during my run this huge brick wall came in front of me at mile 7. We weren’t allowed headphones and there wasn’t a “billy” to run with me and keep my spirits up. I finished, but man! So, I’m wondering if when I run my 2nd 70.3 next year if you two could come and support me?

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Okay, WOW!!! You are incredible that you pushed through all of that!! 25 minutes of waiting….boo!!! here’s an idea, can we do one together and we can lift each other up?!?!?!

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I envy those that can do Ironmans. I secretly have that on my bucket list…..Now if I could just get over my swimming anxiety. . I watched some Ironman championship on TV a few weeks ago and it made me teary-eyed because they were going in depth about these people’s stories. I was amazed at the stories and the adversities they overcame just to race.

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That’s amazing! So impressed. I don’t think I could fathom doing a tri, although I did say the same thing about a half marathon, and I am scheduled to do one in Jan…. Hahaha. I know my husband is interested in doing a tri, maybe he can train for this one!!

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Janae

I don’t know if you remember me or not. I am Teresa Erickson or should I say Wilson”s mom. I have loved reading your blog. You are amazing. I have ran off and on for over 8 or so years. It wasn’t until a year ago last December That I decided to run my first 1/2 marathon. Teresa and I looked up a training schedule on line and I signed up for Cow Town half in Fort Worth Texas. I work hard and I did it. It was so great to come running into the finish line and seeing Teresa, Travis and Boston at the finish line. Boston was holding a sign that said my Grandma runs faster then yours. I loved it and cried as I was finishing it cuz I DID IT! I was hooked. I decided that at that point that I was going to run a full marathon. So I told my family that in June 2012 I was going to run the Rock and Roll full marathon in Seattle, WA. (that is where I am from). I told my family that I want them all there to cheer me on. This is all I want for my 50th B-day. December I set a goal for me in preparation for the full I was going to run 4 halfs this year. On the 20th of August I ran my 3rd half. I came to Utah and ran the Hobble Creek Half with Kelsey (Teresa’s younger brother). I beat my time from my last half that I did last month. I beat it by 10 minutes. So I was happy. Even though Kelsey didn’t train and took 3rd place in his age group. NOT FAIR! But I was happy. I have one more before the end of the year. I am not real fast, but I love to run. It is great stress relief and I feel so good when I do. As I start to think about next June for my full. I am looking for suggestions on the best training schedule, eating etc. I will take any suggestions. I am a little concern because Seattle’s race has a lot of hills. Texas is so Flat. I was sore after the hobble Creek, where here in Texas I never really am sore after a race since it is so so flat. Any encouraging word to help me start for the full. How long should I train for it. I will have done my 4th half by Dec. It will be here before I know it! Scary!!!!!!! Diane

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AHHHHHH DIANE of course I remember you!!! I love your family so so much! CONGRATS ON YOUR THIRD 1/2 MARATHON THIS YEAR and the new 10 minute pr!! That is incredible!! Um, I want to come cheer you on Seattle!!! Okay, I love Boston’s sign…that is AWESOME!!! Do you have access to a treadmill? That is the best way to mimic hills when you live in such a flat area! Maybe once a week or every other week add in a workout with hill repeats to get your legs ready for Seattle. Most training plans are 16 weeks in length but you are already up to 13 miles so you could start the training plan from the week that has 13 miles as your long run….does that make sense? You are going to do INCREDIBLE!! I want to fly up and cheer you on! Here is a link to an awesome marathon training plan and you could start on week 7 with your current fitness level:)
http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/novice2.htm

KEEP IN TOUCH!! I want LOTS of details on how everything is going! Thank you so much for your sweet email and next time you guys are in town let’s go for fro-yo!!!

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Wow! That is so inspirational. We just had chips ‘n’ salsa for lunch today! Ooops!

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Wow! Who knew she could look so chic and original. Any idea who her stylist is?

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I love reading about how people get on during races. That energy gel concoction does not sound good though! I tried one energy gel and the texture and sweetness made me feel ill. So I stick to clif shots which work ok for me, and raisins or something like that.
I have never done a triathlon- I would be awful at the swimming so have never really thought about it.

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I cannot stand the texture of energy gels either!! I need to try raisins next time…that is a great idea, thanks Maria!

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I just got my first flat on my bike! Luckily it was at the END of our 16 mile loop… so I only had to walk the bike for about a mile but that of course took FOREVER. Now I get to go learn how to fix a flat and how much these things cost…

All your race stories of yourself and your fam are super inspiring and I love to read about them and think they are something I could shoot for in the future :)

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I’d love to do a half ironman…and you are going to be the queen of the half ironman after all this rock solid cross training that you’ve been doing!!

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Hi Janae,
I am training for my first 70.3 on September 25! 4 weeks to go!!! I am super excited/nervous/anxious and can’t believe I only have 2 more weeks until taper. My WORST nightmare is a flat during a race because I am HORRIBLE at changing tires. Your BIL is super, super lucky that he could use your bike! Do you want to come and ride with me and lend me your bike in case I get a flat too? Oh and I could use a pacer in the 13.1 too if you want to bring Billy? :)

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OH MY GOODNESS!!! You are amazing and you are going to rock your half ironman!! I am totally there….seriously! Where is it?

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haha! It’s in Augusta, GA…that’s only about a million miles from Utah…you could probably ride your bike there!

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Congrats to the BIL! That’s AWESOME you guys got to run/ride along with him.
I’ve done one half-Ironman and one full. It was an incredible experience, and I’d love to watch one!
I totally think you should put that on your list of races to do…

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YOU ARE MY HERO ABBY!!! You have done a half and a full!! Will you coach me…I want to do one so so bad!

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Ahh…I literally JUST signed up for another one. Ironman Canada 2012. Yikes.
I got a free training plan with the half that I did. I can definitely share, as I think it was an awesome plan!

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YOU ARE INCREDIBLE…I want to come watch you!! Would you mind emailing me your half plan? That would make my day!!

[email protected]

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I’ve never raced a half or full ironman, but I love watching them! I always get teary-eyed thinking about how proud everyone must be of their accomplishment!

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Congrats to your BIL, that’s a great accomplishment! It must have been so fun to watch and follow him along the route :D I’ve thought about trying a sprint triathlon but haven’t seriously looked into it…

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR BIL AND BILLY!! Your awesome too Janae for lending your BIL your bike to finish the bike portion!! You have awesome athletes in your family! Great gene pool!! :)

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So you know that is a huge rule breaker to have someone switch bikes with you. I would have been very upset if I was in that race and saw that

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I had no idea how to approach this before-now I’m locked and laoded.

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