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This is Kim as she crossed the finish line last weekend . After gaining the lead at mile 16 on the run, Kim  was past with 3 miles to go in the 146 mile race. Please check out Kim’s website at Kimloefflerracing.com for a race report.This was the gutsiest race I have ever watched. The rain started at 6:45 am and it freaking poured and I mean poured until the next day. Kim had a tough swim and came out of the water about 11 or 12 minutes down. She came back with an incredible bike, posting the fastest bike split of the day and narrowed the gap at the start of the run to 7 minutes. I was really worried about Kim on the bike because it was only in the 60’s but pouring rain. I was FREEZING watching and I knew she would be shivering on the bike and she was. Kim got really cold on the bike and as a result probably expended way to much energy fighting to stay warm. She started the run with a calorie deficit. She hung tough and ran as fast as she could. At 16 or 17 , Kim was winning.  By 20, Kim was struggling to hang. Her energy was zapped and as much as she tried to refuel, the cold had beaten her on the bike, and energy and fluids were low. I was getting updates online from friends and I learned about Caitlin coming up. She was having an incredible run. I knew Kim had no clue and I so wished I could tell her somehow, but I had no way of getting out there to tell her. I saw Kim on the hill at 23, just 30 seconds after the pass occurred. I could tell that she was devastated and that there was nothing she could do. She kept fighting. I am proud of her because she raced that race to win. She never held back. She never took chances and always kept the gap within reach. It was a smart race. She gave it her all in the swim, bike, and run. Kim lost 7 pounds in the race and was severely dehydrated.  She crossed the finish line in 2nd place and I knew that as disappointed as she was, she gave it her all. That’s why people admire Kim, not because she is a good athlete but because she pours her HEART out in every race.  She really did, and that is why I know that she will be an Ironman champion someday.  Just gotta keep fighting. Her day will come. I know it will because she won’t give up on it. EVER