Race Preparation - one day to go

The day started with a 6:00 am rise. I got all my gear collected and ready for Bridget to pick me up at 8:00 to drive to Pleasant Prairie, WI. What we didn't do in training prep in the past months, we were going to make up for by learning everything we could the day before!

We I bought coffee, Bridget bough gallons and gallons of SmartWater and Gatorade. We began our hydration regimen on the 3 hour car trip. I have never consumed so much water or visited so many gas station bathrooms!

We arrived at the RecPlex full of anticipation. I had never attended a Triathlon Expo. and had no idea what to expect. I was amazed at all the activity. We were directed to go to a number of stations. First we picked up our race packets. Then we determined our race number and had it written on our arms. This felt like a badge of honor! See our dorky photos for how much fun we were having.
Then we figured out the timing of our wave, the color of our swim caps, the maps of the courses and listened to motivational speakers. The race, which had largely been a fuzzy, anxiety filled picture began to come into clear and exciting focus. We got tune ups for our bikes, picked our spots on the rack and most importantly marked them! There are going to be over 1500 bikes on the racks by tomorrow and I needed a way to find mine quickly during transition. I brought tie-dyed duct tape and Bridget brought Damask Duct tape and we carefully laid out our path to our bikes.
8 weeks ago I never would have thought I would be a triathlete and here I am on the eve of the big event feeling like I was born to do this. I can never thank my Soul Sister # 27 enough for the gentle nudge to find my courage to become an athlete. So, at age 36 and 40 we are venturing together on yet another life changing adventure.

Funny words: I am so hydrated I could be your PFD. What did you do with my walkman? Go Team Pussywillows! I wonder if they would perform a double funeral? They can spread our ashes and we will dance together to heaven.

Stated Goals:

To not kill myself or anyone else during this race.

To finish not win it.

To finish the race wanting to do another.

So, it is 9:30 PM. We have our gear laid out.

Our bikes are racked and put to bed for the evening.

We showed Lake Andrea who's boss. She is more afraid of us than we are of her now.

We have a 4:00 am wake up call. All that's left is to try to overcome the nerves and get a good night sleep.

Tomorrow we become TRIATHLETES!