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Ironman Miami 70.3 race report by Anna Alexopoulos

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THE RACE THAT ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN
Thursday morning came we were so excited. Tomorrow we were leaving for Miami half Iron Man, then Thursday afternoon I started to feel quite sick and by Friday morning I was throwing up in the airport restroom. The last place a Germaphobe wants to have her face. I felt so sick, I almost didn’t get on the plane. Fortunately Deb did everything for me. She printed my boarding pass, carried my luggage, got me a blanket ( I had tried to cover myself with my wetsuit to keep warm that was in my carry on bag, that didn’t work too well). She got me dry toast and tried to keep me hydrated. She got me all the medicine from the pharmacy. I’m so happy that I did get on the plane because within 24 hours I was fine. A little depleted but definitely ready to race. Never before was I so happy to be able to do a race. It made me so thankful for my usual good health. The Miami heat was welcoming.
The swim was held in Biscayne Bay. Our start time was 7:35 right after the pros about 15 minutes after sunrise.  What a beautiful way to start the day. The water was 82° therefore no wetsuit. The salt water and freedom of no wetsuit was quite liberating. I encourage everyone to try a race or swim in the ocean at least once. The bike was flat and fast with a nice strong headwind only on the way out. We started out through downtown Miami going out as far as the Everglades. Very flat and fast with beautiful sunshine. Now for the run. It was hot and not as flat as I had anticipated. I was feeling very strong. Deb had caught up to me on the run as she always does, and as everyone knows Deb always passes pretty much everyone but today was different, Deb was struggling and wanted to quit. Her long race season was starting to show. She was nauseous and dizzy and was done. I refused to let her stop. She refused to let me wait and walk with her ( she is so stubborn), but I did it anyway. We walked, cracked some jokes and within 15 minutes she was fine. The sun was shining and we were back on track. By the second half of the race it was my turn, feeling totally depleted I just wanted to let her go ahead of me so I could walk,  Deb knew this and she wouldn’t let me walk. She stated “we started the race together and we’re going to finish this race together.” She pushed me through right to the end and we did finally cross the  finish line together.

This was not my fastest race but I must say it was my best race. It gave me the opportunity to evaluate and appreciate all the things in my life from good health, The camaraderie within TcoB and most important the value of friendship, definitely more important than placing or even a podium finish.?