I was doing my 3rd 70.3 IM and I was doing badly. Something was off, I had been loosing power since the second half of the bike leg and come run time I was bare

I was doing my 3rd 70.3 IM and I was doing badly. Something was off, I had been loosing power since the second half of the bike leg and come run time I was barely making 8 min/km. I was supposed to be doing 6. Seeing no point in continuing, I had decided to step off the course. Then a woman (older?) recognized me and asked me how I was. I told her about feeling horrible and stopping. She told me that’s stupid, that I should continue, it’s not so long any more. I did and, against all rational odds, against all logic, started feeling better and did my first ever negative split hm. It was likely dehydration and the aid stations helped. I don’t know who she was. I was so out of it, I did not recognize her and do not remember her face despite her knowing me by name. That experience of hope against all odds…