Sunny Saturday 23rd April, 2005

A nice day out today. Got up a little while ago and headed to the hotel lobby for some oatmeal. Met up with Jodi and her friends. Heather, Robin and Beep came down. My father went for a run.

My plan is to get the bike tuned up today and checked into the transition area. Probably going to park down near the T area. I don't want to ride my race wheels at all... last year I got a flat on the pre-race ride and had to repair it race morning. Bad. Other than that, just planning on taking it easy. Collecting together all of my crap for the race... gels, socks, etc.

Update 10:26AM: I think this most of what I have to do today:
Buy: Energy Gels
Buy: Accelerade powder
Do: Bike shifting tuned to race wheels
Do: Check bike into transition area
Do: Download polar hrms to computer to free up space
Do: Eat high carb meal around 4-5PM.
Do: A few minutes on the IT band roller
Buy: Tape to tape spare tube to bike
Buy: Clear tape to tape timing crib sheet onto step
Buy: Rubber bands to prop shoes onto pedals for T1

This can likely be done with a quick trip to Target and the transition area. Not too hectic today.

Update 3:10PM: Met up with Joel, Anna, Vanessa, Chris and Keith at noon. Hung out for a bit and then they took off for a swim. Saw them on the bike later on.

I went to check my bike in but before I did I wanted to have a mechanic check my gearing. In the process of waiting in line I found a badly frayed shifter cable so I had them replace it. Not a big deal but it forced me to stick around for an hour or so.

I picked up Rusty's race packet, explaining his situation. Gill from the event staff was very kind and willing to accomodate. Even gave me an extra t-shirt and packet.

Took some pics and settled in under a tree when Heather called. They were having lunch not too far away so I walked over. As we sat and ate it started to get windy. Then it got really windy. Food was good, but mine was tough to eat because of some really tough bread. Gave up.

Walked back to the transition area and my bike was done. Payed and checked it in. I need to remember to bring a knife of some sort to the start tomorrow... they plastic strapped my aerobar water bottle to the seat.

Walked back to the hotel. Good bit of walking again this year. But at least it wasn't too hot out. Felt good. I'm on the bed in the air conditioning resting up and typing this right now.

I don't have an outbound smtp server so I can't reply to emails until Tuesday morning. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Update 3:19PM: Just checked the weather and uploaded a screenshot. Looks like it won't get over 63 degrees during the race. I'll start at 7:10AM and hopefully finish before 10:00AM. Wow. The exact opposite of last year. Apparently a possible record cool high temp tomorrow. Last year was close to a record hot high temp. Heat training did me no good.

Update 5:23PM: On the bed again. Made it to Publix, a couple blocks away, to get some tape and rubber bands. Cut the email inbox from 443 to 37. Heather is beside me, sleeping. Robin poked her head in a few minutes ago... she's heading down to happy hour. She's been posting a bunch of pics to her blog/picsite.

Update 7:12PM: Got some help at the front desk and printed my race predictions cheat sheet. Taped them up while sitting on the porch with dad and Robin. Windy. Met a guy named J.T. who is from Atlanta, has 3 year old twin girls and works with Carole Sharpless as a coach. Upstairs now getting a sweatshirt. Probably going to eat something in a bit. Heather just showered. Jodi's getting ready. I have not showered today. Or yesterday. Maybe the day before. Can't remember.

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