Registration Day

Yesterday when I arrived I thought maybe we had come a day too early. We did not. I am so thankful that I have to days to completely chill before the race.

We spent the entire day running around – the practice swim, shopping for CDA and Ironman merchandise, picking up our bikes from TriBike Transport, Race Day Wheels… these things take up a lot of time!

I was anxious to get into the water today. We have been hearing about how COLD the water has been for months and months, so I wanted to make sure it was bearable. Many were sporting neoprene booties and caps and it had me worried! Was it that cold?

Dian cracked me up as we were getting in, as she had FOUR pairs of goggles. She's worse than me.

I got in and it was cold, but as we occasionally swim in the Bay, it wasn’t too bad. We swam one loop of the partial course before heading back to the house to get ready for some serious shopping.

I spent SO MUCH money on Ironman gear today. I thought I was the biggest geek ever until the salesperson helping the gentleman behind me announced his total. He spent more than me. I felt better.

When we registered we were thrilled to discover that we received a race poster – Chris and I had wanted one since seeing them in store windows about town. It will be just perfect in my new office!

We also had our body compositions tested, which was surprisingly fun. I have the metabolism of a 16 year old. Who knew?

Chris, Dian and I rode part of the run course today, and it looks like it will be a very scenic run.

I saw many of the GGTC contingency out doing the same thing, and also ran into GGTC member Gordon, who I met during Vineman 70.3 last year when we ran about 5 miles together.

After my ride, I met up with one of my best friends from high school, Lindsay, and her two sons, who are the cutest things ever. It was so fun to see her, as it’s a rarity.

I was also spoiled with the most beautiful gift basket and bouquet of flowers from my parents, sending good luck. Thank you so much Mom and Dad! The treats are amazing and the flowers beautiful.

After a quick little run, I joined Chris and his parents, who arrived this afternoon, for dinner. It was a busy but a good day. I find myself looking forward to sleeping, as I cannot WAIT to sleep in tomorrow!

Welcome to Idaho

We are off!

Our flight from the Bay Area to Spokane, Washington was quite entertaining. Triathletes are pretty easy to spot - the shaved legs, the Zoot tri bags, the incredibly fit bodies… and our flight was FULL of them.

We have arrived in Coeur D’Alene. It is BEAUTIFUL here. I find myself looking forward to my 112 miles on the bike to explore! (Alright, maybe not 112 miles, but many miles nonetheless.)

We arrived around lunch time and sought out the Coeur D’Alene Brewing Company, as many have told us we just had to go. While there we there, our waitress pointed out a local celebrity, Lee, who is a George Bush impersonator. Dian and I were more impressed with spotting Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to complete an Ironman distance triathlon.

After lunch we took a little tour down to the Lake to check out the water temperature, as we have been hearing about it for months. Dian and Chris both stuck their hands in and said, “it’s not that bad.” I put my feet in – it’s COLD. I think it’s colder than the Bay, but I will find out for sure tomorrow morning when we jump in for a practice swim.

After a trip to the grocery store stock the house for the week, we settled for a bit before heading out for our 35 minute run requested by our coach. My IT Band has been aching a bit for the past few days, but I am hoping it’s due to my taper. Regardless, I had a great little run. Even Chris was surprised at the distance I covered in my 35 minutes. SWEET. (I know, I know… this is not the time to be running faster than normal.)

There were athletes EVERYWHERE. I saw tons and tons of people while out for my run, many of whom had been on our flight or we had seen around town since we arrived.

Chris’ parents arrive tomorrow and I am looking forward to a visit with one of my closest high school friends and her children, who live nearby in Spokane, Washington.

I think it is going to be a great week here in Coeur D’Alene!

CDA Send Off

Prior to our departure to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, we celebrated the continued taper with a 3 hour bike ride on the Peninsula, touring about Woodside, Portola Valley and Palo Alto.

Dian, me, Chris and Phil, a New Yorker transplanted in San Francisco for the summer, headed out La Canada road for our adventure. It was to be our last rides on our bikes, as we had to drop them off later in the day to Tri Bike Transport for their journey to Idaho.

It was so nice to catch up with Dian, as it had been a long while since we had had the opportunity to chat. Chris and Phil had fun as well, which we celebrated post ride with some dim sum. YUMMY.

In the evening, Rangsiwan and Sam hosted a wonderful send off for those of us headed to CDA. It was so much fun to get together with friends from the triathlon club. Chris and I both had a wonderful time. When we were leaving there was a photo op and I seriously felt like we were being stalked by the paparazzi! There were so many flashes going off at once. It mad me laugh.

Thank you to all of those who sent us off... I felt spoiled.

Escape Continued

As the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon came to an end last weekend, I set out on my last longish run prior to CDA. Hoping to see some friends coming in, I set out on along the run course, running against the run traffic.

While running along I ran past Sarah Reinertsen, a challenged athlete that many know from Ironman coverage and from seeing her at events. I am a fan, as she is not only inspirational, but also because I am envious of the fact that she has been on the Amazing Race, one of my favorite television shows. I shouted a bit of encouragement as I ran by.

I ran the Alcatraz course plus some at a very slow "tapering" pace and was laughing when I returned home. My two hour run seemed short. I am hoping that this means I am ready for Ironman.

Escape from Alcatraz

I was SO UPSET when I didn't get into this year's Escape from Alcatraz. Out of me and five of my friends who had entered into the lottery, 4 received lottery slots to race. Poor me and Paul!

In order to avoid this issue next year, and to be able to cheer on those lucky participants who were racing, I opted to volunteer as a registration "Race Director," which allows me to bypass the lottery next year. I must say -- I have earned it.

We spent almost six hours stuffing the registration bags Thursday evening. I didn't crawl into bed until almost midnight, after having missed my workout and staying up way too late on a "school night."

I then spent the entire day Saturday working in the registration tent, which was a total debacle due to random shirt sizing. "The shirts ran big this year, so they say they are a size smaller than the shirt size you have requested. Rest assured, it's the right size." No one bought it.

Race day was a blast, however, as I was able to cheer my friends and GGTC teammates on full force, as my volunteer committment had ended at 7 am race day.

The weather could not have been more perfect.

I saw Jake, Wes and Chris come out of the water and chased Chris down to cheer him on as he ran back to his bike in T1. Chris had quite a cheering section, as his parents were in town, and many family and friends had come down to join in the fun.

I lucked out waiting at the finish line. While waiting for my friends, I maneuvered into a prime watching spot and saw Andy Potts and Leanda Cave win the event. Andy Potts was a fan favorite, as he ran around and gave all of us watching high fives. I have been praying that his high five has somehow transferred some of his triathlon excellence to me for a few weeks to get me through Coeur D'Alene. Ha!

I also ran into my coach, who was celebrating with his significant other, Leanda, who had won the women's event. He cracked me up as he grabbed my face and exclaimed, "this is what I like to see!" I must have looked confused because he then stated that I had the chiseled look of someone training for an Ironman. Please!

Everyone had a great race. Congratulations to Chris, Dian, Jake, Ashli and Wes! Now I can't wait for next year's event -- as I will be there too!

14:31:08

My boyfriend's father threw down a challenge this past weekend -- If I beat the time of his other son's three friends who did IM Arizona in 2007, he will give an additional $500 to my Blazeman Foundation fundraising efforts.

14:31:08 is the time to beat.

Nothing like a little monetary challenge to light a fire!

I have been studying the boys times... wish me luck!

Thunderstorms in Central Park

I found myself in New York City this weekend, running in Central Park during a thundershower, which featured a downpour that instantly soaked me to the bone.

Ah, the joys of a 3 hour run in the rain.

I actually enjoyed it, as it reminded me of home. Relocated Seattle-ites occasionally enjoy a good run in the rain.

I was in NYC this weekend with my boyfriend for his brother's engagement party. It was a whirlwind weekend of family events, however we managed to sneak in our training runs. Fear is a great motivator.

It was so hot and muggy on Thursday, however, that I ended up doing a 1.5 hour run on the treadmill. While I hate running on the treadmill, I decided the treadmill was preferable to the sticky alternative. I laughed when I made this determination as I could hear all my triathlon coaches, past and present, in my head -- "it's better to train in the elements!" Oh well.

I cannot believe that in two and a half weeks I will be in Coeur D'Alene getting ready for the event -- oh my goodness!