Grand Finale

I've been posting my list of highlights and lowlights of the last five years.  It's been fun to re-live each state and recall what made it special.  There was no ONE favorite state or best race; they were all incredible in their own way.  I could probably add another 50 or so facts and tidbits about the journey but it somehow feels like it has come to an end.  But here's some exciting news...
OCRF asked me to be a Partner in Science.  As a donor, I am able to select an OCRF Scientific Advisory Committee approved scientist to receive the $107,115 raised by my 50x50x100 campaign.  I am in the process of reading summaries of research and choosing a candidate.  For a geek like me, it is a dream come true.  I will get to see first-hand where your money is going and how it is impacting science and study and ovarian cancer research.  How cool is that?  And what a great way to put the "icing on the cake" of this campaign!
Thanks to everyone for following me along this journey, supporting my efforts, cheering me on, donating even in tough economic times and always believing that I could accomplish this. 

The List Continues

LEAST AMOUNT OF RACERS: North Dakota.  Shortly before the race in North Dakota, there was terrible flooding that almost cancelled the event completely.  Many homes were destroyed and people were displaced.  The venue had to change but the race director was determined to proceed.  Six people competed in the Olympic distance event.  By far the smallest race I have ever been part of.
BEST MUSIC: Virginia.  Luray Triathlon wins here.  Rocking tunes to help me cross the finish line and as a side note, peanut butter and jelly for a post-race snack.  Nice touch.
BEST POST RACE FOOD: Alabama. Even though the pb&j in Virginia was fun, the hot, spicy Jumbalaya in Alabama not only filled my stomach but it warmed my soul.  Yum!
FLATTEST COURSE:  Georgia.  Jekyll Island is a barrier island and flat as a pancake.  I didn't like it as much as you would think because I rely on the hills to gain speed. Flats aren't my thing.  There wasn't much shifting or variation in position with the terrain being the same, so after a while it was kind of boring too.  Beautiful but not my cup of tea.
LONGEST LINGERING EFFECTS OF A RACE: Louisiana.  Swamp rot as diagnosed by my dermatologist. Brought on by infectious waters. Contagious, fast spreading. Totally gross. Lasted two weeks post race.
LATEST RACE START: Nevada.  Called the Showdown at Sundown, this Las Vegas event went off at 4 pm.  It totally messed with my head, as I didn't know how to eat that day.  Around noon my mom suggested I take a nap and start the day all over again. I did just that and had my morning oatmeal at 1:30 pm.  It was unique, beautiful and a nice change.

Some Quirky Facts

These don't go under the heading of the least, most, best or worst because they are one-of-a-kind (or almost) incidences.  Call them quirky little facts from along the journey.
STATES DONE BACK TO BACK IN SAME WEEKEND: New Jersey and Maryland....and....Delaware and Virginia.  I know, I'm nuts!
DIFFICULT T1: Maine.  T1 is the transition time from the swim to the bike.  The race in Maine was particularly tricky because I got my timing chip stuck and couldn't get my wetsuit off.  Coupled with a calf cramp and it made for one of my slowest T1s to date.
ONLY PLACE I WANTED A T-SHIRT FROM: Arkansas and a little town called, Toad Suck.  Yep, that's right. And believe it or not, I had to hunt for a shirt with the town name on it.  When I asked a local where I could find one, he looked at me like I was crazy.  Really?  They don't sell them on every corner with a town name like that?  I finally found one at the Harley dealer.
SMALLEST RACE AND BIGGEST HEART: Wisconsin.  The folks of Portage were some of the loveliest I have met.

2014 Greetings

With the holiday season behind me, I find myself gearing up and planning my race calendar for 2014.  You may recall a secondary goal of the 50x50x100 campaign was to finish "relatively" uninjured and still in love with the sport.  Check and double check!
Continuing on with the awards....
MOST LOCAL SUPPORT: Iowa.  Residents of the Holiday Lake Community travel by golf cart.  They all came out to the parking grounds and transported us and our gear to the transition areas and then did the same on the return after the race.  Nice touch.  Especially since the race and transition area was up at the top of a dam.
BEST POST-RACE GIVEAWAYS: Vermont.  The race director must be pretty connected.  He had so much gear to give away and an endless amount of raffles.  Mixed into the award ceremony, the raffles were plentiful and substantial...helmuts, wetsuits, sunglasses, wheels.... it lasted for over 2 hours.
MOST SIGNIFICANT RACE HISTORY: California.  Back to where it all started, I raced in San Diego on Fiesta Island.  History says this was the birthplace of triathlon and it felt very special to race where is all began, less than 40 years ago. 
MOST ROAD KILL: Missouri.  Not much to say about that except gross!