Crossing the World’s Greatest Finish Line was so worth all the hours, training, and the past 12 months of dedication.  Rewards in life are so much more appreciated when they are earned.  In my opinion its the hard work and dedication of the participants in this event which make Kona’s finish line so special.  

Oct 11th was a beautiful day.  In fact it was the most sunny day of the 5 I had spend on the island.   Arriving that morning at the peer was truly amazing.  To be in the company of the best of the best in this sport was a gift to me.  To have watched the 29 DVDs of the previous World Championships and to actually be there - amazing is the only word that keeps coming to mind.  The amount of energy on that peer was crazy.  Yet everyone was so polite and gracious to one another - not an ego fest in any way. 

The swim start was bigger and more explosive then any of the videos I had ever seen.  The best part was being in the water and looking back at the sea wall and seeing the thousands of fans waiting of the Title Wave of the start to begin.  My swim went well - aside from wanting to punch out the individual that spent the morning touching my feet every 5 seconds as he/she got a free ride.  The bike started equally as strong as I got settled into the ride.  An hour or so into the ride we were all faced with the infamous Kona winds.  Holy cow were they strong and taxing.  The winds impacted my reserves a bit and decreased my ideal bike time, but if I am getting the opportunity to do Kona I want to experience all the island is known for.  

Thank goodness for RC Cola because by the time I got to the 14th mile on the run I lived off soda and bites of bananas.  The finish line was a dream come true for me.  To have all those fans cheering me on and to give so many high fives - again amazing is the best word that comes to mind.  This to only be topped off by my two daughters running up to me and giving me the best hugs and kisses a father has ever received.  

I want to thank all my fellow Team Timex Members I met at this event.  I gained many insightful points from you and I very much appreciate how welcoming you have been to me.

With eight days until the “big dance” I am getting ready!  The physical training is done and if its not… there isn’t much I can do about it now.  The mental and emotional preperation will begin once I arrive in Kona.  I have been instructed to make peace with the island and its Gods.  So between now and Sunday’s departure I need to get all my stuff packed.  To start I created a “to bring list” per many people suggestions.  With my list completed I have begun to pack.  There is one story I would like to share - Picture me sitting in my living room with a jug of GU02 powder, a bag of Infinit powder,  Endurox powder, and 30+ zip lock bags.  At the end of this process I had bags of white powered spread out all over my dinning room table.  A friend of my wife walked in the house looking for Mandi, my wife, and her mouth dropped open.  I can only imagine what she was thinking.  I felt like Vince in Entourage playing Pablo Escobar.

Only one swim left at the local YMCA (I hate that pool) and lots to pack = I have to sign off.  I am so looking forward to my initiation swim out to the Hobbie Cat and getting a shot of expresso.  More later …