Ironman 70.3

Neither Wind nor rain nor hail nor stronger wind etc etc can stop the ironman, but it can sure make them horribly miserable.
Well I survived, but only because I kept chanting "It doesn't hurt as bad as childbirth, it doesn't hurt as bad as childbirth." Unfortunatly, my knee kept screaming back, "I never hurt this bad during childbirth!" It was ruining my chant.
The swim was delayed over a 1/2 hr because of high wind and lightening, and then when they put us in the water they said, hurry up there is another front moving across the lake. Thankfully they shortened the swim, because I was close to bailing as it was. I've never been uncomfortable in the water but I was starting to panic at one point as I was getting mouthful after mouthful of water. I finally turned my back to the waves and side stroked for quite awhile to catch my breath. It was nearly impossible to see the markers so I kept stopping to figure out which way I was going. Things got even funner on the bike.
The wind was really blowing, at times we were fighting horrible cross winds, I swear 40 mph gusts blowing everyone across the road, and just for kicks it started to hail and rain buckets. I started singing "Just keep peddling Just keep peddling" Yes I have noticed I talk to myself alot.
By the time I got back for the run, the torrential rain was gone, but still cloudy and windy. It really wouldn't have been such a terrible run If my knee hadn't given out at 3 miles. I bullied it into another 10, but I guess I never got going fast enough to tire myself out because I couldn't bend my knee much.
I was soaked, muddy, tired and soo ready to go home (yes I need my head examined becasue I've already looked up other ironman's online). I grabbed my gear and headed home for a hot bath. I have a habit of leaving too soon I guess. I did the same thing at Spudman last year. When I got home my friend Ana called and asked what place I got in my division. I guess as I was leaving they called me up to get my award. Oh well I'll have to check on line in a day or two and see, because no way was I getting out of the hot bath. It was the first time I was warm all day.
But serious dispite all the gripping, it was a great experience. If I can ever get my knees to cooperate I'd love to do another one. See need my head examined.