Today I woke up at 5am (which is actually 8am San Diego time) and started to unpack my bike although Matt is putting it together for me at Bike Works. I was going to get a latte at Lava Java and check out the swim but didn't plan to swim today although I got a call from Karen (who I met at the Mission Bay Tri) who got in through the lottery and she said she was swimming at 7:30am so I decided I may as well just do it too.
I had about an hour before swimming so went down the Ali'i Dr and I got my latte at Lava Java and made best friends with the manager who promised she'd probably be opening very early on Saturday - confirming that I'll be able to get my double tall soy latte on the morning of the race. Yessssss. The surf was hitting the sea walls in town and splashing over above people's heads on the sidewalk which made walking through town feel like I was walking through an amusement park.
Went back to the hotel and got in at the swim start even though I couldn't find Karen in the MADNESS... Athletes, tri-geek-wannabes, photographers, kids etc where EVERYWHERE.... Crazy town.
The swim was GREAT! Although lots of people were freaking out about the surf - there was some wave action and lots of rocking and rolling on the swim - but I like that. The water was super warm and felt good. Didn't have my speedsuit yet though to try out... I'll have to try it tomorrow.
Then I got a great free massage to work the knots out of my shoulders from traveling all day yesterday. Perfect.
Next, I was at Bike Works at 9am to drop off my Bike for cleaning and tuning a'la Matt Simpson who is my savior (hopefully everything is good to go even though he still has my bike at this point).
I was on my way to drive the bike course when I got a call from the Xterra pro/rep who had my speedsuit and he asked me to come pick it up at Lava Java.......... 3rd time to Lava Java in less than 24hrs.... Score.
In line at Lava Java all these people were saying hello to the guy behind me and everyone was offering to pay for his brunch or whatever he wanted - I was like WHO is behind me?! (And also, why doesn't anyone want to pay for MY brunch hah I'm sooo not popular around here) I think it was Mark Allen because everyone was like OH MARK OH MARK. And then he touched my shoulder and was like, you go ahead of me - please, even though there wasn't a cash register available so I looked at him like, are you somebody special? He probably thought I was sooo rude not being star struck but it took me about 3min to figure out who he was and I still don't even know if it was actually him.
Got my speedsuit but haven't tried it on. Decided to check my email again since I'm here at Lava Java and thats when I decided I may as well start this BLOG by the NON-BLOGGER because since my parent's don't arrive until tomorrow I really have nobody to share all these silly stories with.
Bike is ready to be picked up.........
.......... So the rest of my day went like this:
Registration: The woman in front of me at the security check point of the registration room was ____ (have to look up her name) she is the Swiss woman who has won this race 6 times.... Anyway, I am behind her as all the Security people start yelling how she is NUMBER 1 LADY and all want to take a picture with her - while I am standing behind all of them - twice in one day - why doesn't anyone want a picture with MOI?!?! kidding... Then we had to weigh in (so they can tell if you're extremely dehydrated on the course), and sign your life away with at least 3 different officials.
Drove the Bike Course: AHHHHHHHHH. Okay, now I'm scared. LONG. HUGE CLIMB TO HAWI. WIND!!!!!! HOT SUN!!!!! Okay, back to happy thoughts.....
Jogged the In's & Out's of the Run: I needed to cool my nerves after driving the bike.... so I decided to throw on my running shoes and get out for a bit. It felt GREAT to sweat, relax and chill while jogging down Ali'i Drive. Next time I'm running down this road won't feel so good....
Since I am so fortunate to be staying at the host hotel - and my room over looks the huge area where the Welcome Banquet and Awards Banquets are taking place, I got to see the LOUD dress rehearsal of the Luau that Ironman has planned for us all - WHILE TRYING TO GET TO SLEEP! Took some Nyquil and passed out...... Day 2 done and done. I know whats going on. I've been in the water, seen the bike course, and I've jogged/drove the run.
Ready for day 3.
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8 comments:
yay, I get to be the first to comment on your blog. Thank GOD you found the coffee place. I hope they know how to make "your" drink the way you like it. I'll be shouting out plenty of hubba hubba kassies ALL day on Saturday... love you! KB
Hey Kassie,
Just thought I would let you know, I have all my buddies in SD, and many of my law school friends sending happy, fast, "going to finish and look great doing it" thoughts your way.
You will do awesome on the bike! Especially with all that caffine you're getting into your system. As you're screaming towards Hawi at 26mph, just think of all your San Diego buds/teammates sitting in front of the computer hitting the "refreh" button.
Good luck girl, you will crush it for sure!
-Troy
Kassie, I don't know if you remember me but I took your bike apart after Lava Man this year. Don't let that climb up to Hawi intimidate you, it's part of the 70.3 course as well and if you've been up Scripps Poway Parkway or done a few trips up Torrey Pines, you've got it whipped. Just take it easy on the climb and enjoy the 30+mph return leg on it! Best of luck and I will be thinking about you. Please give us a post race blog when you are able, we'll be looking forward to it. I'll also be tracking you online.
Take care and race strong,
Craig McVeay
TNT Alumni - Hawaii
Hey Kassie,
I know you will do great. I remember you passing me on the last mile of AFC half in 2006 and I know you will pass some folks in Kona. I am planning on watching the net live-feed of the race and will look for you and send you good thoughts while I track you on ironmanlive.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Greg
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