Kona - Race Day Tomorrow!

Well this is it. It's the day before THE race.

I don't feel like writing much today and have been busy responding to emails, text messages and Facebook messages that have been awesome. Thanks all.

I wrote parts of this blog earlier in the week which have more detail than today's stuff. Sorry, it is what it is and just don't feel like thinking about too much right now. It's 5:30pm and I've eaten my final carb loading dinner.

The bike and gear are checked in and I've had my one on one tour of the transition from the volunteer - walking the bike into transition brought a tear to my eye. Had to apologise to the volunteer because I couldn't talk. Saw Pete Jacobs with his gear bag.  

Today has been slow. Just taking it easy. Saw Sean Foster first thing to go through the final race plan. Thanks Sean, can't begin to tell you how this has changed my life.

Thanks for all the positive feedback and smart ass comments on the blog entries. I've never taken it too seriously and really enjoyed writing it. I look forward to reading it in the future when I look back.

We've all done so much to train for this one race. Is it really worth it? Let's see tomorrow. I've trained and the body is in better shape than ever. Just want to do it. This is the real deal!

What more can i say? Time to step up to the plate and face Kona.

My next blog will be a race report. See you on the other side.



The week that was:

FM athletes with Ironman royalty

Official swim start

Parade of nations

The team. Wish you all a great race, thanks boys.

The undie run

Team Martin

The guns

Gear ready to go

The finish line under construction

Damn, my plans for an epic finish have been ruined!

Athlete's wall

The team on our last ride:

Me

Ralph

Red Bear

Steve Guy

Henry Polk

Tuesday (Wrote this earlier in the week)

A 50 minute run was on the menu today. As we had plans to travel north up the coast I hit the pavement at 6am, nice and cool(ish). Rand down the Queen K to Palani then followed the run course down Ali'i Drive. Saw Henry Polk on the way back and ran with him for a bit. Ran with the new Rudy Noyz sunnies which are awesome. Also took the fuel belt filled with Endura to keep the hydration right up there. 

We then headed off to Harpuna Beach which has previously won the "best beach in the US". It was great. Nice sandy beach with hardly anyone there. Had a fish taco for lunch from the local store then bought some fresh fish to cook on the BBQ. Took the opportunity to do a recon toward Hawi which is the bike turn around point. That's a challenging part of the course!  Lots of riders out that day and lots of people taking photos. 

Parade of Nations was on that evening. Received the Team OZ Ironman tee shirt and did the march with the 230+ other Aussie athletes. It was exciting! The family was at the swim start point waving the Australian flags and cheering. I grabbed Stirling so he could walk with me. He loved it. He waved his flag and joined the the chants - "Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oy Oy Oy!". It was great to finally meet up with the FM and other MTC boys and meet a whole heap of other athletes. I was told Australia was the second biggest nation represented here behind the US, correct?

We finished at the expo where they we handing out samples of all sorts of stuff. Stirling and I were exhausted after the short parade walk so got stuck into the energy bars and sports drink. Stirling swallowed a Powerbar "lollie" product just as the lady said "be careful, they contain caffeine!"  I looked in his mouth - empty. Snugged my shoulders at the lady and kept walking. Parenting at its finest. 15 minutes later he was on fire - singing, yelling, happy. It was great. Had to come clean with Lauren after her "...you're on fire Stirling" comment. 

Watched the kids 'dip and run' event. Watched a boy with cerebral palsy complete the event with a walking frame. Epic!!! A moment I will never forget. This defines the ironman mantra - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. 

Finished the day with my last beer before the race. Christine the psyco....sorry....physio messaged me on Facebook reaffirming that alcohol dehydrates the muscles...Then Lauren got stuck into me, I was out numbered, had to finally listen. Finished my last Blue Moon before the race. Looking forward to Sunday when I can reacquaint myself with bad food and drink choices again.

This is where I get slack and do the rest in point form. Sorry, just how I feel today....

Wednesday

• First up was the Australian team breakfast. Heard some great speakers
• Did our last team ride.
• Dinner with the team at the Fish Hopper.

Thursday

• Team swim
• Undie run
• Carb loading starts today - "feet up, eat up"
• Bike course recon with Sean, Ralph, Steve and Henry. Jan Dean joined us in her convertible Mustang. Steve decided he'd rather be seen in the convertible so had a lift back from Hawi with Jan. 
• Packed my gear.
• Ironman dinner.

Friday
Today - rest day. Checked the gear in. Finished this blog.


Saturday - Race Day!
To be continued.........