Friday, April 29, 2011

Could it maybe

Be sun I see!!!!! YES IT WAS. I'm sure it was warmth I could feel on my skin this morning just prior to getting in the water. And as the sun finally decided to stick it's bright happy face out from behind the clouds I had to get a photo. I wasn't sure when I was going to see it again.
The swim was just glorious. It finally just felt so right in the water. The wetsuit is starting to feel better and I am definitely feeling much more confident out in the open water - finally.

Among the many things to do and see here I have also registered and gotten all my goodies in my backpack. Not to mention having splurged on a few things to help remind me of the event.
I also took a bit of a walk around where the finishing chute will be to try and take in some of the enormity of what will be come Sunday.
Still looking at this photo brings tears to my eyes. It has been such an emotional journey and I feel so blessed to have been able to make it to this very day. I only hope I remember every emotion from this Sunday.

This afternoon we have Pre-race registration and I have gotten my bike and helmet set up with their stickers.
Little OCD me was getting frustrated with the fact that my helmet sticker wouldn't sit on properly without getting creases. So my first lesson for Port was - Let things be. This is the least of my worries. There could potentially be bigger things to worry about and this is not one of them.

Elissa came over last night to stay with us till Tuesday and Susan and her hubby are arriving today to stay as well. Should be a good day as it is also Mum's 64th birthday today. We are heading off to do some Strawberry picking today - so we can have it with dessert tonight.

Everytime I head out I am spotting lots of friends and their families. And this morning as I went for a quick ride with Jodie and crew I spotted Tim Berkel and Belinda Granger. Once again you have that star struck moment - they look so strong and ready to do battle. If I could have a smidge I their ability I would be one happy individual.

I have to confess - I had my first mini cry this morning as we made our way to Matthew Flinders. I got all emotional and scared and almost felt the same way I did when I did my first ever Enticer. My legs got all wobbly and I really questioned myself. Lucky for me we only did the top half as Jodie wanted us to stay fresh. Anyway after that little emotional outburst I felt better. I was in control again.

Can't believe it's tomorrow. I will be doing my first 70.3. WooHoo

I'm here

So I packed everything but the kitchen sink to come up - but in my defence this pile only has my race gear in amongst it all. My everyday clothes bag still was not packed. It's amazing how much stuff you have to pack for a family of 5. In a way were lucky we were taking the 2 cars as there was no way we would fit it all in one car plus my Mum and Father in laws stuff as well.
As we headed out for the adventure of a lifetime - to say that I had rechecked my stuff a million and one times would have been an understatement. But I decided that if something was a miss well then it could be bought up at Port. So I said Goodbye to home and knew that when I returned I would be returning a changed person. I would have reached the pinnacle of my journey and accomplished something I never thought in my wildest of dreams possible.

Making our way up to Port was well - what can I say - eventful. The weather has been a big fat BLAH. We went through about 5 different sets of rain clouds and since arriving here it pretty much has not stopped raining since. And by rain I mean - torrential rain. The kind that makes the ground so slushy because it can't soak up another drop. Oh well, should make the race interesting on Sunday if it continues.

As we were driving up I really wasn't giving much thought to the fact that I was heading up to race until I came across this sign about 60kms from Port.
Amazing how one little (well big) sign can make you quiver. Reality hit me like a plank of 4x4 to the head yet again. Arriving at Port did the much the same thing. There were sponsor signs everywhere, people riding their bikes, people jogging all over the place and just that neat BUZZ which filled the air.

When we reached our accomodation, the kids dispersed frantically to find their rooms and I walked straight out the back to admire the beauty of this place. To think that some people have this view everday upon waking makes me slightly jealous.
The house we are renting for the 9 days is amazing. This water view encompasses the side and back of the house and they even have their own jetty. If I had some dollars I would offer to buy it and live here permanently. But then I think I said the same of Kiama. Must be all the greenery that does it to me.

Yesterday morning I met up with Jodie and Chris and some friends for a swim at the swim course. Not the ideal weather conditions I was hoping for but the water was beautiful. There were only some patches that were cold but the rest was warm. Swimming out was slightly tough as you had the current coming at you, but coming back was awesome.
Can't wait to do it all again this morning. Speaking of such - I must head out the door or I will miss it. Speak soon.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage