Reid’s swim, he’s smiling up front right next to the guy bending over.
Courtenay and I in transition
Hanging out with good friends, the Lieto family!
Reid pre-swim looking happy as usual.
MASSIVE Transition area, TONS AND TONS of bikes, this is the BIGGEST triathlon in the world!
Reid warming up 2 mins before his swim start
And he’s off, Reid is leading the swim
Virginia the women’s overall winner, here she’s 3rd out of the swim
Off onto the bike
Kevin Koresky and I on the boat dock after I started the pro women’s wave.
Andy Potts on the run chasing Terrenzo Bozzone
Reid out on the run
Well, I made the decision not to start the race on Saturday! It was a super tough decision and I had asked a bunch of other pros at the race as well as my former coach Jen and my Dr for some advice. I REALLY REALLY wanted to race but my body was telling me something else. My foot was still throbbing walking around the race site on Thurs night and Friday morning and I was still having trouble breathing, not to mention all the mucus I was still coughing up. SO, after several sleepless nights, I made the tough but smart decision not to race.
Instead I got to start the women’s pro wave, cheer on all of my pro and amateur buddies and have fun! The best part was doing some announcing and starting Reid’s wave too 
Reid had an awesome swim, bike and then hurt his back on the first mile of the run when he slipped and fell. So the rest of the run was alot of walking down hills since it hurt so bad, yikes! He is ok now and his back is getting better. I admire him for finishing in all of that pain, what a tough guy On top of al that, Reid still had to do some work for Tri Cal later that day and on Sunday. What a trooper!! Speaking of troopers, my good friend John Dahlz won collegiate nationals last weekend and decided to race on tired legs. He was 4th out of the water, top 8 off the bike, then had a really rough run. But never once did he give up and I found him walking at mile 11, after 6 hours on the course. He wanted to finish his first ever half IM!! Inspirational!
Reid had an awesome swim, bike and then hurt his back on the first mile of the run when he slipped and fell. So the rest of the run was alot of walking down hills since it hurt so bad, yikes! He is ok now and his back is getting better. I admire him for finishing in all of that pain, what a tough guy On top of al that, Reid still had to do some work for Tri Cal later that day and on Sunday. What a trooper!! Speaking of troopers, my good friend John Dahlz won collegiate nationals last weekend and decided to race on tired legs. He was 4th out of the water, top 8 off the bike, then had a really rough run. But never once did he give up and I found him walking at mile 11, after 6 hours on the course. He wanted to finish his first ever half IM!! Inspirational!I had so much fun hanging out with tons of great friends and even people I had never met, but read my blog. These people ended up being so awesome and now I’m happy to call them friends!! Oh and I was lucky to be able to do the swim with the collegiate women on Sunday during the Olympic distance race. Those girls are fast. I wasn’t supposed to win, which I couldn’t anyway, but I came out in 3rd in my first ever sub 20 1.5K swim, 19.50 was my time SO MUCH FUN!! I can’t wait to race soon….
SO MUCH FUN!! I can’t wait to race soon….
Reid, me and the Biggest Loser Reality show contestants, Blaine and Dane. They both raced the 1/2 and finished…AMAZING!! Watch them in 2 weeks at the Season Finale of BL!
Reid and Cindy
Great friend, Haley. She is amazing, she finished 6th!
One of my closest buddies, Jenny Fletcher. She was 3rd Overall at the Olympic Dist race!
My favorite smack talkin’ buddy, we had TONS and TONS of fun….
27 Comment(s)
Cammy said:
Dude, you are HOT and you ROCK!!
Steph said:
GREAT PICTURES!
Charisa said:
Looks like you had a great time even though you couldn’t race – and that swim was fantastic!
Greg Remaly said:
good seeing you at the race. smart decision not racing, i’m sure you’ll be in great form for your next race!
Runner Leana said:
I’m so sorry you couldn’t race!! It sounds like you made the right decision. Hope Reid is feeling better as well!
Jen said:
You made the right decision. It sounds like a lot of fun anyway.
Looks like Reid had a good time too.
I am glad to hear that you are finally turning the corner and feeling better.
Anonymous said:
Good, smart decision. Nice pics.
Marit Chrislock-Lauterbach said:
I know it wasn’t easy – BUT YOU MADE THE RIGHT CALL. Going into a race sick + injured… NOT good. You have learned SO MUCH from last year, and I truly applaud what you’ve accomplished. And.. OMG – that swim is MONSTER. Holy cow Eileen….that rocks. Especially for being sick… Wow – I’m happy that you’re a pro and I’m an age grouper.
hee hee – you’ll be back on track in no time! Good vibes and hugs your way!
allyson said:
Love all the pictures. Good choice on being smart and not racing, even though I am sure it was so tough not too. Biggest Loser is my favorite reality show, dont know what i’ll do after the finale!!
Missy said:
Great call on the race! No need to set yourself back another couple of weeks BUT a hard decision just the same.
WF – I dream about it someday. It’s just one of those must do before I die races.
Kiet said:
Hey good seeing ya on Sunday, 19:50 for the swim, you gettin’ fast in the water there, you got me by 6 seconds
Bruce Stewart (ブルース・スチュワート) said:
Are you planning to do the Honu 70.3 race some time? Pity you could not race Wildflower, but at least you got to see everybody and there will be plenty of opportunities to race when you get better. I hope you are well soon.
Chloe said:
LOVE the pictures and LOVE the hoodie!!
Laura said:
Love the pictures Eileen!! Good choice, I think, not racing. Glad to hear Reid didn’t do any long-term hurt to his back too.
Jennifer Cunnane said:
YOu are really keeping up a great attitude despite not being able to race, it has to be SO HARD given all of the quality training you have put in. I am still off running – 2 months now, and just biking/swimming due to groin injury (accident) – grrrr! So I can feel your pain. I am sure you will be back in no time!
Benson said:
Great pictures of all the race fun and games. Made me want to race too. I hope you’re healing up and getting well.
Your swim time is fantastic! And you did that with mucusy lungs too? Holy mermaid!
ADC said:
You made the right decision. Nice pics. Hope Reid is recovered 100%.
ShirleyPerly said:
Great pictures, Eileen, and AWESOME swim! I think you definitely made the right decision not to race this weekend. You’ll be hell to beat when you do, though!!
b said:
You absolutely made the right decision Eileen by passing on the Wildflower race by listening to you body telling you it needs more rest! Thanks for sharing the great photos & stories from the event day itself…very inspiring!
btw…you rocked the Oly swim
Kim said:
The pictures are so fun and I think you def. made the right decision not to race. It will pay off later! I’m sure of it! What a fast swim too! You’re on your way lady!
Tawnee said:
I love your attitude! Very inspiring. Looks like you got to have a lot of fun.
Molly said:
It sounds like you made the most excellent choice for your body AND managed to enjoy the spectating!!! I hope you are healed up in time for Uvas!
Courtenay said:
wooo i starred in TWO photos! i am almost at reid status, right?
just kidding.
i had such a fun weekend, thanks in no small part to you. see you at TI! but talk to you before then…
Marni said:
I LOVE the biggest loser! Love the pics..looks like you enjoyed yourself.
Way to go for your hubby!!
BreeWee said:
BUMMERS E! I am so sorry you couldn’t race, but way to make the most of it, looked like you got to do your share of support and cheering! Get well soon, See you at REV3 for sure (I have a good feeling you will be better by then!!).
LOVE the Lulu clothes too, so much fun those things look.
hugs to R and B
Teresa said:
Looks like you had a great time. Cool that you got to start the pro field. Get better.
tn
Anonymous said:
Sending good healthy vibes your way!! Awesome swim! Congrats and with your positive attitude I know you will get better soon!!