This is Part II of fundraiser Maggie Finnerty’s post detailing her experience competing in a triathlon to combat Sudden Cardiac Death.  Read Part I of Maggie’s experience.

The Run  
Honestly, there’s only one word to describe the run: HOT. Thanks to my training, my legs felt totally fine when I exited T2. I expected them to feel heavy and jelly-like but I think the bricks I used during training helped them feel pretty fresh. Pacing my run was my biggest dilemma. I’d completed several mile tempo runs at paces of 8:40, and even six mile runs after 60+ mile rides at a 9:00 pace, but it was always cold and rainy, and I just had no idea how it would feel in the heat.  (more…)

Recently, I participated in the Pacific Crest Half Ironman in honor of my brothers, Kevin and Timmy, both of whom died more than 20 years ago due to sudden cardiac arrest. Both were athletes; neither had any prior arrhythmias and their deaths were a shock. Kevin died at only 20 years old, and 14 months later Timmy died at 15. Because they were both athletes, honoring their deaths with an athletic event seemed fitting to me. I have also made the Heart Rhythm Foundation the benefactor of my efforts because they have made great progress in diagnosing and treating sudden cardiac arrest over the last decade.  (more…)