Packet Pick-up!

Athlete #606 is registered and ready to race. Got my packet and bought a shirt today (Thursday). I still have to go back tomorrow for the prerace meeting and to get my transition bags. I figure if we have had time to train then the officials should have had time to organize, but the expo was anything but. There was a very small area, about 12’ X 12’, with official merchandise for sale and a line a mile long to pay for it. At the end of the line there was a non-english speaking person with a calculator and a fanny pack. Nothing was priced and after you handed them your choices they punched a few buttons on the hand-held calculator and quoted a price. I paid $52 for a dry fit t-shirt and 3 bumper stickers. I was a little disappointed in the confusion of the check-in procedure, but I left there with my race number and timing chip with the assurance that my transition bags would be ready when I come to the meeting tomorrow. I guess we’ll see.

Bummer

Well, this morning I had my first negative feelings about the race. Part of the swim course was open for practice in Chankanaab beach so I decided to check it out. There was a big storm yesterday and it seems to have left a strong north wind which creates large waves (apparently when the wind is from a different direction the waves are not so bad). There is a long dock that we will jump off of to start the swim and head north to the first turn buoy. Today the first buoy was 700 meters out; I am not sure if that will be the distance on race day or not. They only had two buoys set up for the practice today and with the large waves they were impossible to see so I tried to site from the bottom of the ocean. With the strong current as you head north, your body wants to head straight out to sea, perpendicular to the buoys so you have to be careful to site well. It felt like I was making absolutely no forward progress as I headed north and I found myself getting frustrated by the current and the jelly fish. I was stung many times and although the stings are not terrible, it caused me to get out of any kind of swim groove.

Once I turned and headed south, I was back to the dock in a matter of minutes. The jelly fish were still a nuisance, but the excitement of making forward progress more than made up for the stings.

It was a good lesson and I am very glad that I learned it today and not on race morning. As of now, the forecast for Sunday does not call for 20mph north winds like we have today and maybe we will have calm seas for our swim, but no matter what the conditions, I will race with all I have and be grateful for the opportunity that I have been blessed with to be here.

First Report from Cozumel

I am SO excited. We have had a day and a half here so far and I could not be more excited about #1 how I am feeling physically for the race and #2 the race venue.

Our first afternoon here I was scheduled to do a short run. I headed out just a few minutes before sundown (couldn't tear myself away from the beach any earlier!) and ran down the road toward downtown. It is humid, there is no getting around that, but the breeze is nice and makes the temperature along with the high humidity bearable. I felt strong and comfortable.

Yesterday I had a 45 minute swim and a 50 minute bike. Wow. The swim is going to go by so fast with the incredible view that we have here. Absolutely beautiful. The salt water makes swimming so much easier. There is a noticeable current, but we will have it at our backs for part of the time, so it should all even out. I take in a decent amount of water when I swim, so when I finished, my tongue was dried up like a piece of jerky. It was pretty funny. I could not wet my mouth to save my life. I will have to drink a lot of water when I get to T1.

I had a nice ride down to Chankanaab Park and back; I am glad the bike course does not go down the main street through downtown because it is a concrete road with decorations stamped in it and it is worse than any chip seal I have ever ridden on. That ends and you are on soft paved roads heading out of town down to the park and on to the South of the island. I don't think I will ride a full circle, but I will check it out either in a car or on a scooter.

I will ride again this morning with a fellow racer that we met here at our hotel. There are many athletes here; it is neat to see so many bikers and runners; lots of great stories, too!

So far, so good. I could not be more encouraged!

Crunch Time

The bike is packed. One more run and swim tomorrow and then I am out of here! Exciting news: Dad got a press pass for the race! Hopefully he will be able to get some great shots!

Competitive season is OVER!

As of today I have officially finished my competitive training; now I have only 2 taper weeks to race day. Crazy!

The new frame is here, the bike is built (with just a few minor hiccups along the way) and I am beginning to feel comfortable on my new ride.

We are a week away from leaving for Cozumel and yesterday was my first time on my new bike; that is kind of scary, but what can you do? I went today and bought the top I will wear at the race so now I need to bike and run in it to make sure nothing rubs me the wrong way :) I have my list made and will start packing this week...I am so excited!

Still to come this week:

taper week 1:
swim: 2:00
bike: 5:30
run: 3:25
total: 10:55

Motivation

I sit here at the computer, 17 days til race day, and I need some motivation to go out to the garage for an hour and fifteen minute swim. I found this...

some progress

We made a quick decision last week after my frame broke and ordered this frame:

It came in on Tuesday and now we are waiting on a few other new parts we ordered before the bike can be built. I should be on the road by Saturday to test it out. I am scheduled for a 4hr 30 minute ride, so that will be a good way to break it in and see if we need to make any adjustments. It is exciting to have a new bike, but it sure was a difficult unexpected expense right at vacation and holiday season.