I don't sleep very well the night before. My mattress in my parents' house was so comfortable when I bought it 10 years ago. But now, it's definitely not as cozy. I had a pain in my back from sleeping on it.

We leave the house at 5:30 a.m., and we're to the race by 6:30 a.m. I have to check in and set up my transition. That's pretty easy and only takes a few minutes. I run into our meteorologist Dan Russell who is also competing in the Olympic/Intermediate Distance triathlon. We take a few photos before heading down to the beach.

I'm really nervous. My stomach is all in knots. I hope I can do the whole distance.

Eventually, it's time for my race wave. We get in the water, which is actually pretty warm. The temperature is several degrees warmer than normal. All the women competing in the intermediate triathlon start together. I'm in the middle of the pack for the swim. There's a serious washing machine effect. But once I get into my rhythm, I feel pretty good. I swim the first loop in pretty good time. As I swim back for my second loop, the water is so shallow I could walk. I learn later that most people actually do walk. I didn't know what the rules were about walking, so I didn't want to get disqualified. So I keep swimming. My neck doesn't start to bother me until about halfway through the second lap. But it's not too bad.

I finish the swim, and head for shore. The rocks are so slimy and slippery, I'm afraid I'm going to fall. But I make it out and start "running" towards transition. I find one of the most challenging parts for me in a triathlon is running to T1 from the water. I'm so out of breath, which I don't realize until I had to stand on my own feet and run uphill.

I get through transition and onto the bike without issue.

The bike seems a lot harder than it did last week when my dad and I rode it. My legs are burning, but after the first hill, I get into a better rhythm. I have a slight panic attack on the bike because I didn't put my race number belt on, and I couldn't remember if this was a race where you're supposed to have your number on the entire time or not. Some races require you to have it on for both the bike and run, some only for the run. So I'm looking at everyone who passes me to see if they have their numbers on. I put it out of my mind. As long as they don't pull me off the course, it's okay.

Once I finish the first loop, I feel great. The second loop is more challenging. I hit a serious headwind, which makes it tough and slows me down. It looks like it is going to thunderstorm all morning. I pray it starts to rain. It's so hot and a little rain would make things more bearable.

Finally, I get to the run. I feel pretty good on the first loop. I have to walk more than I would like, but I don't get too down on myself. I'm doing it. But the second loop kills me. It's so tough! I'm in excruciating pain. I'm not sure I can make it. I keep trying to push it. I keep having to walk. I just want to finish, so I try run as much as I can. It seems to take forever. I think it takes me more than 45 minutes to finish the last 5k. But I do it. It feels amazing. I'm so tired. I finish! I have barely any energy left, but I do it.

After, I find out I come in second for my age group (out of two) and 6th last. But that's okay. At least I did it, and I know what I need to do if I want to do the whole 70.3 next year. And I basically have to do a lot more and not get injured.

Later in the day, my knees are so achy, I can barely get into and out of the car. But it feels great. I did it!