Even the Poison Ivy is bigger in Texas

Why I didn't even think that PI would grow in arid Texas....
I was painfully wrong. I could avoid it pre-riding,but during the battle of racing I ignored it. (another idiot move- I could have gone to a local drug store and buy Ivy Block the day before the race, duh.) This picture was 2 days after exposure. It's much worse now-4 days post...and I've patches on both legs ankle to fanny. But this blister takes the grand prize. I've never had one this bad.

XTERRA SouthCentral Regional Champs -Waco TX

Never under estimate the value of swift transitions. (and trail running shoes that you can wear without sox) I was ahead of Lucia going into T2, I snapped a bike shoe off the pedal going into transition, then knocked the bike down next to mine. while I put on socks, I never saw her head out ahead of me. 22 seconds. Because of the undulating course, she was outta site but a couple of times late on the run, I caught a glimpse of her and was befuddled to think that she was ahead of me- must be someone else in the same club kit...but nope...
I felt I had a steady, solid,race, not the most stellar, but I did feel like my run was a bit better than it has been lately...I'll take that as a small victory. And, I did ok in the 85+ degree heat.
The end result is that I did not qualify for the Xterra Worlds in Maui and don't have plans to race another regional, Well, dunno now. My options: go to AL 1 week after a half Iron in KS, 1 day after Steamboat Classic in Richmond VA, or at 6000 feet CO in July.