Ironman 70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge is in the books - and it was a tough one! The 1.2 mile swim in beautiful Carvin's Cove outside of Roanoke went off without a hitch and so did the very hilly 56 mile bike ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and back to the city. By the time I got off the bike and put my running shoes on it was 95 degrees, so the 13.1 mile run along the river greenway was more challenging than I had expected. Wonderful support from spectators and volunteers helped the athletes going and I received that hard-earned medal when I crossed the finish line.