Bike and bag ready to go...

I have so many lists on the go right now:

1. Packing list for TriBike transport. They're taking my bike and one bag up to the race - they actually drive it in their big 'ol truck, saving me the hassle of having to take it apart and fly with my big bike box. The bag is full of a bunch of stuff - electrolytes, running shoes, spare tubes, CO2 to inflate my tires if I flat during the bike, bike tools to change a tire, bottles filled with suspicious white powdery substance that I probably shouldn't be flying with (it's only CarboPro - my nutrition - nothing to worry about, no performance edge for me there!), spare goggles, etc... as many things as I could pack. Some things I still need up until the race - like my bike shoes and bike helmet. Luckily I have a road bike so that I can keep riding while my race-ready, fast-looking tri bike is on its way to Lake Placid!

2. Packing list for race day. Swim stuff, T1 bag (swim to bike transition), bike special needs bag (for halfway during the bike - they put it out for you on the course and you generally pack it with things you may have run out of - like spare tubes, or if you dropped a bottle of nutrition - or something you might be really craving, like sour cream and onion pringles for me, or maybe a vegemite sandwich ;), T2 bag (bike to run transition), run special needs bag, and don't forget the post-race bag!

3. Packing list for all the things I'll need for the race minus the items already packed in my bag that shipped with TriBike.

4. General packing list for the weekend. Also keeping in mind that it is going to be cooler up there - like 25 degrees F cooler, yay!

5. Location list for where to find my marbles, in case they get lost in the coming days.

Time for bed I think...

I love watching this video

I came across this YouTube video several weeks ago, a recording of someone's race at IMLP last year. Every time I watch it I get excited and nervous all at once!

Awesome 40/10 final pre-race brick!

Saturday I did my final pre-race brick, a 40mi ride followed by a 10mi run in the Circle C neighbourhood. Gordon was my awesome support crew and created a mobile water stop for me along the run route. He even beeped the horn and shouted encouragement... thanks Gordon! It meant a lot to have you out there supporting me.

The weather was humid and cloudy and not too hot. The ride was awesome and I actually had a really good run - not awesome - but really good. Although my legs took about 20min to get into the running groove, they did loosen up and I managed to feel good. Circle C isn't a really hilly neighbourhood but there are definitely some gradual inclines that can make it a little tough.

A great final big workout for me, and huge confidence boost leading into LP. Only 13 days to go!

Update on attack of the Ponzu

Last week Gordon and I decided to go to Uchi for dinner. It is one of our favourite sushi restaurants in town. Expensive, but the food is delicious. We enjoyed a cocktail out on the patio in the lovely evening weather and caught up on our day, then about an hour later sauntered into the restaurant, ordered some green tea and some food. We had a delicious seaweed and cucumber salad, then some oak smoked escolar. It was really good.

Then the waiter brought out our two pieces of shrimp tempura with ponzu sauce in a ramikin. Here is where it all went south, literally! Instead of asking the couple with the baby who had stopped at the adjacent table to chat and who were oblivious to the fact that they were in the way, decided to do a shimmy around them, and of course as the plate made its way down to the table, the ramikin decided to slide off and douse me with ponzu sauce! All over my brand new blouse, eeek, but thankfully not all over my white jeans (I never wear white jeans because I'm normally too messy!).

Anyway, the waiter was obviously sorry and apologized several times, the manager also came out and made sure I knew that they would take care of the dry-cleaning cost. I also made sure to check that if for some reason the dry-cleaning didn't fix it, that they would reimburse me for my brand new blouse. I was a little surprised that they didn't offer a round of drinks or some kind of discount on the bill which I would be expecting in this type of situation.

I took the blouse to the dry-cleaners but they were unfortunately unable to remove the stains. So I sent off an email to the manager today requesting compensation for the blouse and the dry-cleaning. She replied back within 3 hours and said that the check has already been filled out and is ready for me to pick up. I was very impressed with the speed of response and the overall outcome of the situation.

I would go back. Maybe not order the tempura next time though!

Life is very very bizarre

When Gordon and I did Ironman Arizona last year, Gordon's brother Andy just happened to have a business trip to the US at the same time - very last minute trip - and so he ended up coming to Arizona and cheering us on in his very British style, heh. It was awesome to have him there.

Anyway, so today we found out that Andy is going to be in Houston July 16th and then needs to be in Boston July 21st... so he's coming to Lake Placid to watch me do another Ironman. Crazy! It's going to be cool having Gordon, Kate and Andy all there cheering me on. Gordon can do a hybrid British/Texas cheering thing, and Kate can channel our Mum with her cheering style! I can't wait.