Before the Race

I flew into Phoenix Friday morning with several other Houston area athletes doing the race. It was fun to already have IMAZ'ers all around.

Robin and me on the plane

Robin greeted me with a pink goody bag complete with pink flashing lights, a pink lei, and a bracelet that said "Believe" on it. She had a matching bracelet and said she'd be wearing it during the race, so I decided I would wear it as well. After some waiting at the airport in Phoenix, we met up with Laurie and headed to the race site for lunch and registration.

Laurie, Angy, Sissy, Randy, Robin, Shellie, and Me entering the Ironman Village

We met up with more of the group and explored Ironman Village together. This year I was able to buy Ironman merchandise before the race, whereas last year I was afraid I'd jinx myself if I bought anything that said Ironman on it before I deserved it.

Shellie, Me, Trent, Robin, Laurie, and Fred

I tried to get Robin to buy herself some stuff because all the good things are gone before the race is over, but she was too afraid to buy anything. So I bought matching pink and brown/black Ironman shirts for each of us and snuck hers into her bag. I didn't want her to miss out on the fabulous pink and black ironman shirt that I know she'd want just because she was afraid she wouldn't finish and wouldn't deserve the shirt. I knew she would finish so I didn't think twice about giving her the confidence booster.

Later we drove the course and went to Target to pick up and last minute necessities. Friday night was the athlete's dinner and pre-race meeting. It was all pretty standard stuff. I was just plain tired before it was all over and really wanted to just go to the hotel room and touch all my stuff. It was after 9 before I got back to my room and it was the first time I had been there for more than 30 seconds. I packed up my transition bags to be able to turn them in Saturday morning, took a Lunesta, and passed out.

Saturday morning we all met at the lake for a practice swim and bike ride as well as a group picture. We had a good time all just hanging out and getting our stuff together. Mom and Linda watched our stuff while Dad and Dr. Doug went to find my sister at the airport.

Shellie, Randy, Me, Robin, and Laurie on the way to the practice swim

Laurie, Me, and Robin

Laurie and Robin in their speedy aero helmets

We adopted Laurie into the W family for a little while and hit up the deli again for lunch. Elizabeth and I spent a good 3-4 hours in bed doing absolutely nothing Saturday afternoon and I think we both loved it. I needed to stay off my feet and couldn't really sleep and I think she was just enjoying not being a mom for a short while. We watched MTV's Made about a ballerina and tap dancer (she had never seen the show before...I was able to introduce her to 21st century MTV) and then Save the Last Dance II. It was pretty much a worthless afternoon that was so worth it.

I had arranged for dinner for 45 people at Carrabba's in Chandler at 5pm. It all worked out very well and it was nice to see everyone in real clothes and to meet everyone's family and friends. Lisa and Shellie and the rest of the group surprised me with a card and gift of thanks for organizing the group. I was definitely flattered. It was very sweet of them to put something together. I got in bed around 9 or 10 and slept the best I could, but it wasn't much.