Swim (1500m - 21:42)

T1 (0:52)
As I was leaving the racks, James was just getting to his bike. I was not happy about this and dropped a big F-bomb.
Bike (27mi - 1:11:18)
For some reason I thought we had to head up the hill and directly out of the park. I was not prepared to make the sharp left almost immediately out of the transition. I was also not prepared to get passed by HaycraftGTWD less than a mile in. I dropped another F-bomb but tried to keep him in sight as he also had the lead vehicle with him. At about the same time I lost sight of HaycraftGTWD, Derek Kidwell passed me. I tried to keep him at a legal length but the more hills and turns we went through the bigger the gap got until I finally lost sight of him as well about halfway into the 27 mile course. Around mile 15 I was just minding my own business when I got stung by something pretty big and gnarly on my back just under my aerohelmet. I was just riding along and then suddenly I was in searing pain. I swatted at the perpetrator only to get a handful of something big, nasty, and capable of flight. As pain began to radiate up, down, and around my back, I waited patiently for my limbs to all go numb as I fantasized about being found on the side of the road paralyzed in the fetal position. Well that did not happen so onward . . .
T2 (0:50)
Despite the fact I have been working on my dismount, I decided not to showcase it here. Too many spectators I told myself . . .
Run (10K - 43:31)
![]() |
Smiling with my excessive upper body motion on display |
Final (2:18:12, 1st female, 7th overall)
This year, NCTS awarded Stumpy Creek bonus point status so I expected there to be a lot of competition. I was not disappointed but to be honest I found myself racing a ghost. Two years ago I ran this race against Stacey Richardson. She caught me on the bike but I was able to stay with her until the run where she put down the hammer and took the win by 1:52. Unfortunately for her but luckily for me she was awarded a 2:00 penalty for drafting on the bike and I was subsequently awarded the win. Since then a serious foot injury has prevented Stacey from racing so she has become an intangible competitor, one I will always be chasing and one I will never be able to catch. A former swimmer, super strong rider, and quick runner, Stacey set the standard high for women's racing in NC. Maybe I am being unrealistic or maaaaaybe I am feeling a little bit more confident but it feels like I am approaching a place where I would have given her a run for her money. She may have still beaten me on this course on this particular day but she would have needed to work really hard for it. When I think about that a place deep down inside of me smiles. Can I set a new bar?
![]() |
Best view in town |