Thursday, August 23^rd through Saturday, August 25^th

Today is the day I head to Canada to endure on the biggest event to date in my life. I go pick up Kelly and we head off to the airport to meet everyone else to head out to Spokane before our 4 ½ hour drive into Penticton, B.C in Canada. What a beautiful drive, had I known this part of NAM was so beautiful, I would have taken a road trip years ago. We arrived at our rental house and were greeted by the sweetest couple who showed us around their home & even gave us some welcome wine, they were lovely! Off to a great Greek dinner we went.... I even tasted some Peach beer… there is no lack of peaches in the area!!! 

Friday morning we went for a practice swim and then it all started to get more real, if this morning was any indication of race day, I was now even more scared. Windy, choppy and white caps in the water, I lasted 10 minutes and was sea sick feeling, oh boy 2.4 miles is going to be long if these conditions stick around. We then rode our bike around a few blocks to check the gears, etc and ensure all was good for race day (that planned 45 min ride turned into 10 minutes due to the extreme winds). We are now off to pick up packet.

In line to get my packet and I am given a silver disco  colored wristband that the volunteer asked me if I ‘loved’  it since I had spend $700 for it.. (too funny), we got that and a bag and the basics for the race, holy shit this is getting real.  I am trying my hardest not to show the anxiety I am feeling and just try to enjoy the day with friends. That evening we went to our athlete dinner (bummed our friends didn’t join in as there was a 30 min wait and they were hungry – who can blame them). The dinner was nice and we got to watch past video of IMCA and also hear a few people speak. One guy had done over 100 Ironmen in his life (is he freaking crazy – who does that and who the hell has time for that, does he not work? but still very impressed) and then a few pros and also Sister Madonna – what an inspiration this woman is. 82 years of age, the first women to ever do Ironman Canada AND she was going to do it on Sunday with us again!! Okay now seriously, I BETTER suck it up and finish and for sure  don’t get beat out by an 82 year old (although she is way more experienced than I am) Seriously what an inspiration. We also learned that Sunday will not only the 30 year anniversary of Ironman Canada, but the LAST Ironman Canada, so another reason to get my butt out there and stay strong.

Saturday morning I got up early because I couldn’t sleep, thoughts of Sunday were racing through my mind. I decided to go for a little practice jog by myself before everyone else got up to clear my head a little. What an amazing area we are staying in. I ran alongside Lake Skaha and had some deer as company, saw an old gutted hotel building and just simply enjoyed the amazing views around me, vineyards and all.  Once back and everyone was up and ready, we set off to load our bikes into transition, drop off our bags and then had a great lunch with the crew overlooking the lake, did some gambling and headed back to the house for an early night.  We all worked together to make an amazing dinner and even invited Wes over to join us (he is our amazing bike transporter from Pro Bike Express), had a lot of laughs & turned in for the big day tomorrow.  At this point I am so nervous and scared I just want to pretend to sleep for a while and pray for a good day tomorrow! For anyone that knew me when I did my first triathlon in 2004, I had to be talked off a ledge the night before, I was so scared of the open water swim and the idea of doing an Olympic distance triathlon at all. I am guessing that person is either shocked right now or laughing at my ‘thought’ of doing this… because now I am doing 4 times that and 8 years ago I didn't know how to swim, didn't own a bike and couldn't run a mile – REALLY I am now attempting an Ironman?