LUNA CHIX PRO TEAM

Louisville, KY (August 25, 2012) After months and months of hard training and preparation, Terra Castro took third place at Louisville Ironman.

The field of almost 2,600, including almost 1,000 first timers, experienced hot conditions, but not as much humidity as they’ve seen in Kentucky in years past.

Castro's swim was solid, where she found herself on the feet of the eventual men's winner and dear friend, Pat Evoe. It was a great way to start the day, a 84.5 F, 2.4 mile swim in the Ohio River.

In the bike portion, Terra mounted up in 5th place, hitting a rough patch to fall into 7th at one point. But she just hung in there and fought forward, knowing that the day of an Ironman is long and anything can happen. Castro knew she was fit and could run hard off the bike after training in Boulder, Colorado all summer.

According to Terra, the run is where the battle happens. Here is how it came down in her words:

"I came off the bike, and committed to executing the plan coach and I set pre-race. It is easy to get emotional and want to run like your pants are on fire right at mile 1 because you want to make up ground. I kept focused on my heart rate, hydrating thanks to 91F temps, and saying over and over in my head- BE PATIENT. At mile 2, I caught 5th place, and then mile 14 I passed 4th place. 3rd place- now I was running at a faster average pace. But it wasn't until mile 25 that I made the pass. A spectator yelled to me "JUST A ONE MILE REPEAT, You've been doing those all year!" With that, I made the pass (on former LUNA Pro Heather Gollnick) with authority. I kept thinking- a 7 min mile- you can do anything for 7 minutes. With my calves screaming and tears running down my face, I crossed the line 3rd."

Terra's hard work and commitment paid off, and she really felt it was very special to be on the podium... finally!

Top five professional women:

1. Bree Wee USA 9:36:27
2. Jackie Arendt USA 9:38:14
3. Terra Castro USA 9:53:27
4. Heather Gollnick USA 9:55:25
5. April Gellatly USA 10:09:4

Next up for the LUNA Pro Team's triathlete is: Aquaterra (aquathon/clinic) with TEAM LUNA CHIX Phoenix TRI on August 1-2. Then the following weekend is a cycling clinic with Team Luna Chix Seattle Cycling.

The next Ironman event for "The Crusher" will be: Cozumel, November 25.


Terra's hard work and commitment paid off