Pre-Race Report

So much to write..I need to empty my mental memory card because its full! The days and hours leading up to the biggest race that I have ever done were filled with newness, places, experiences, emotions...you name it.

With list checked in customary OCD fashion, 3 times too many, we loaded the car the night before we left. Bright and early on 06.17.2008 IM, we headed north for the Boze, caravanning with Jess, BJ, Lhasa and Harry. We've never been much farther north than Ft. Collins, CO so the significant majority of this trek was new ground, as our bubble only extends so far.

Within and hour and a half we were in Wyoming, and I was wishing that I had brought my cowboy hat rather than my stretchy pants, as I did get some strange looks...The drive thru Montana to Bozeman was epic...some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen; vast, surreal...so much depth it almost looked fake. Big Sky country fo' shiz...Lunz was a trooper for the whole ride, Kristina got thru a book on tape much to my surprise and delight and was a great co-pilot.

Day 2 was a much shorter leg of the trip that was slightly stalled as a result of my lovey dropping her cell phone in the toilet whilst texting the St. George's in the wee hours of the morning to establish their whereabouts...None the less we are off in good time, to arrive in CDA and then on to our haven on Hayden Lake in time for our 3 pm check-in.

The "Boathouse" while being a teence bit far from the hub-bub of Ironman Village, was perfect. The rest of the day Wednesday was spent unpacking and chillin', with a short 15 mile ride on some of the most beautiful, canopied and winding roads I've ever pedalled on.

Thursday the reality of IM began to settle in...4 days to race day...The nervous excitement was certainly begin to build inside. We all met up in town (some of us earlier than others) for a dip in Lake Coeur D'alene, to confirm if it was actually as cold as we had been told. That fact was indeed confirmed! The second your face hit the water, your breathe was gone...after a few minutes though, it was pretty OK.

Following the swim, it was registration/latte time, ...then off to get the Zipps and soak in IM Village...all before an 11 am massage, which I desperately needed as my back was so jacked up from 17 hours in the car and a heavy cooler. It was troubling me a wee bit (mentally as much as physically), just a few days before the race.

With everyone in CDA, Thursday night we gathered at the St.George's for a memorable evening of Pasta Putanesca a la Petra, a few glasses of wine and some last minute virtual coaching and a goody bag from the Howies. Words of wisdom, from the man (and woman) who helped to get us where we all were that day. I held the tears back then, as I was under the microscope by Kristina's sly video taping...but am having a hard time now. It is moments like that, that solidify for me the fact that Craig is WAY more than a coach!

Huckleberry pancakes Friday am, followed by rest. "If you're standing - sit. If you're sitting - lay down. If you're laying down - sleep". Talk about hard to do! Friday night, Craig Wilson and I prepped our transition and special needs bags...I tapped his prior race wisdom to try and get'r done. Gear, zip-locs, tehno-food and every other type of related crap was strewn everywhere...mostly by me. Interestingly my obsessive compulsion with order went out the window as it was overshadowed by he who has more OCD than I...

One day to race...Saturday we had a pretty full day taking care of all the last minute business that needs taking care of! A quick swim, bike and run to work out the kinks that have accumulated between taper, long car rides and rest...dropped off transition bags and bike...no turning back now...Tomorrow we will be IRONMEN!