In numbers, I have averaged 12 hours training a week (which is less than some I'm sure -Dave?) and learned a bit this year about Tss (training stress) and efficiency and variable index on the bike (which I'm still rubbish at!) 
Back to the race, my nervous day was the Friday, when I was packing, the list is long and with 2 transition areas miles apart being organised is key, there is no access to bags after racking on Saturday so making sure I had rain jacket in T1 was important and dry clothes in T2 bag. Saturday registration and racking went smoothly, then Val joined us and we drove a loop of the bike course, it took about 2 hours but worth doing and checking out the minor change from previous year. I set the alarm for 3:45 and got my head down about 9:30, (sleep is my next favourite hobby after triathlon) Pennington flash 5am, raining and just getting light, I put nutrition on my bike and we briefly saw Bryan who was looking for his family who had his wetsuit, thousands of people milling about then we are urged to wait in line for the rolling start. The first loop of the swim I kept thinking the sky was brightening and how that would be nice for the spectators, but on the second loop I realised the distant orange buoy was shrouded in a mist of rain bouncing off the surface of the lake. T1 seems quick, considering I was layering my cycle Jersey and rain coat, but the noise of the rain on the tent was deafening and by the time I had run to my bike my feet and socks were soaked. I spot and wave to tony, charlie and val as I cross the mount line and head of up towards Addlington and the awaiting hills. The rain soon stopped, but the wind didn't and as I reach brindle, (30miles in) where I know Tony will be, I was off my target time, but power was about right so there was nothing else I could do, I look forward to seeing my team again at Addlington, and the crowds on Babylon lane always make me emotional so I'm cycling up there crying! Second loop and Bryan shoots past like he has an engine. T2, dry socks and shorts and of I go, the first 6/7 miles is the quieter section before you start the loops in and out of town, I see the support crew at 4 miles, who are giving me encouraging messages, apparently there's only a few minutes between the first 3 ladies in my age group, it doesn't matter, my legs only run as fast as they can go, which is a bit slower than I would have liked, the hills have taken a bit too much out of them. I keep going, looking forward to seeing 'my team' each loop in and out, and the aid stations for coke and suck on a pretzel (I can't actually eat them they just go round and round my mouth) the legs (quads) are wasted, I keep looking for Bryan as we go back and forth and eventually spot him on the 3rd loop, I say hi but then we have past each other, then again on the hill out of town, this time Bryan spots me, I pass on the message that he is currently running first in his age group (which the team had told me as I past them, not wanting any more updates on my progress), Bryan replies with "I'm knackered". I finish, and see Bryan, he needs a little salt cocktail pick me up but it was great to share the finish line excitement. Bryan says that after getting my message he stopped walking and started running again. I head to the finish tent for pizza, melon and t shirt. When I set my targets at the start of the year, it was to try and get back to Kona and improve on my overall time from last year, but when I finished 3min slower than last year there was no disappointment at all, I was happy I had done all I could on the day. I think my target was to feel like I had earned a Kona slot rather than have it fall in my lap like last year, and having worked for it this year was enough. We went to the awards with Bryan and shared the excitement and emotion of all those getting their podium awards and those heading to the big island. I love long course racing and am looking forward to doing more next year.