Now I really should take a shower...

...but I find it hard to wash away the feeling of the salt water on my skin.---but its not only salt water...its Kona Salt water...from the pier of the swim start...of the Ironman World Championships.

King Ka Hotel

Signing with Mark Allen and Dave Scott

On the Queen K (most awesome highway ever complete with 10ft shoulder for bikes :)

Do I need to keep reminding myself that the race bracelet means that you belong here? I've been in this weird mixed state of being nervous...but not the normal nervous state (stomach churn, dizzying state, obsessive bawling [kidding]) more of a surreal, hard to explain out of body experience.

First Morning run along Ali'i Drive....next stop Lava Java

Graduating out of handme downs...especially my 5 year old helmet from my aunt... loved all my equipment...but am ready for an upgrade! (helps having it 50% off)

At breakfast this morning we sat on an open deck looking out towards the finish chute, where people were busy setting up the HUGE jumbo tron, the racers were focused to their workouts- workers were focused on their cranes...and I was trying to keep my brain planted inside my body long enough to realize....IM DOING AN IRONMAN....TOMORROW....IN KONA.

Ali'i Drive

First afternoon at the pier

The entire trip so far is something I will remember for the rest of my life. After flying into Kona Wednesday afternoon, we gathered our bags and bike box (thank you Mark Skiffington---still looking for a sticker)..and drove to our hotel - King Kamehameha. (or king ka me me- that ive been calling it) How convenient- the race tent is a 4 minute walk from the athlete registration, T1, T2, and merch tent.

As soon as we pulled in, we noticed Dave Scott and Mark Allen (2 legends) doing a signing....wow.

Walking around the corner there was Matt Lieto and Jesse Thomas hanging out in the front lawn.

A little walk away (within 10 minutes of arrival) we ran into Michellie Jones....really? This is NUTS.

Ran into Heather Wurtele (one of my favorite irondistance athletes..)

Wednesday night Jm signed me up for a dinner with Hillary Biscay...ironman extraordinaire. She is so awesome. Swam for USC, has done 51 total ironman distance races...and is Vegan. The five course vegan dinner was at the Mauna Lani resort north of Kona. Belinda Granger even joined us for the dinner. It was a table of 12 women and the two world class iron(wo)man. I actually lucked out and sat directly across from Hillary.

Hillary Biscay!

What I liked so much about the dinner was it was more of a relaxed atmosphere where you had the chance to ask one-on-one questions. There was never a time that was uncomfortable with her yelling over everyone. It was more of a group of women that got to ask very personal questions about Hillary and Belindas experiences...and get honest helpful advice.

I really enjoyed asking her about her swimming experiences, and how she was able to transition into the Ironman distance racing without totally destroying her bones and joints....I mean this woman does treadmill marathons....all the time.

I also got to ask her about how she goes about with coaching. I know for me, I have had a coach since I was eight years old. I feel as though for my success I need someone that I can look to for advice and guidance....and reassurance. I love finishing a workout and replaying every single step with a coach...making sure that everything I learned and gained -sets in- and translates to the next workout.

She was also very willing to listen and give advice about every woman at the table. It truly is remarkable that an athlete in her caliber is asking questions about me....and well- we got talking about the race- I was one of 2 women racing on Saturday- and she got to asking me about Canada. After somehow telling her I need to bike more and my bike split was 6:47 she was curious about my swim time. She was so surprised when I told her my time (51:28) and even said..."Oh wow, you can REALLY swim." Conversation got going and she asked me what my plan for the race on Saturday for what i was going to wear...i was so excited because that is something i definitely needed help with. She immediately was like "oh I wish I had my suit (a tyr torque race suit) because you could just wear mine- belinda! do you have your race suit? oh you cant wear what you re planning on wearing we'll get you one!"

She got on the phone with a TYR rep...got my phone number and texted me the following morning to meet Mark at the pier...where he handed me a size s  torque speed suit...and wished me luck. Oh. My. God.  WOW.

I've always loved TYR's products....but it really means a lot to me that the world class athletes took the time (and energy) to help a young athlete in the sport out. The Rep was AWESOME- means a lot to have such genuine caring people working for them. I would love someday to have a job like that.

I just cant believe I got a text message from hillary biscay....and another one saying she would watch for me on the course (whether she does or not doesn't matter to me....was just awesome!).

What an amazing couple of days. I feel like I could spend the next four days writing about every single thing that has happened and has been memorable....but honestly I need to get my bike ready....and set for bike check in.... :) oh goodnes.....

boiling lava hot

oh my first big girl ride on the queen k highway...

More to come...tonight maybe.

Love Erin