My last morning at home before flying to kona. Up around 4:30ish with my ritual java and shared banana with CJ. The babies check into the Dog Park Inn later this afternoon. I always get bummed leaving them, but know they are in good hands.

Training wise, all I have to do today is run 40 minutes. That’s it. I got in a 4000 yd swim yesterday and 2 hour bike. Totally ripped my 100s… clocked 1:20/100 and that is fast for me. Fastest 100s ever. This is a great boost. Granted it’s in the pool and following a black line and not in the ocean like the ironman swim and 1800 people fighting for the same space. I don’t have ANY time expectations for the race- it just feels good to see improvements in my splits.

I REALLY don’t have any expectations for the race- except to finish. I said this to Hank at Edge last week and he said, “Michele, you haven’t been training to just finish, you have trained to do well. You’re going to have a great race.” I’m humble and realistic… and definitely superstitious. So I’m working on the mental stuff right now as I have been all along- but now it’s really at the forefront as the reality of the race is fast approaching. Race countdown, 6 days.

My bike is all packed up. Derek is bringing his road bike to get in a little training on the big island. He has been a tremendous support- we’ve logged a lot of road miles and yardage in the pool together getting ready for CDA and Kona. He’s registered for another two Ironmans next season. It’s been cool to watch his progression with the sport and I know he will toe the line in Kona one day soon. Thank you Derek for being there… good training days and bad ones too!

Cousin Michael is on a plane to the big island this morning. I am so stoked he’s flying in for the race. I’m extremely fortunate for the support i have from my family. Five family members will be in Kona; Derek, Mel, Dad, Evelyn and Michael. Mom will track my race from NC and will be off to see Nana and the rest of the family in England later this month. It’s much easier NOT having your divorced parents in the same location. I’m trying to minimize my stress! It’s also cousin Bill’s b-day on the 11th- this is good luck, I know it!

Off to finish packing. Sully, thank you again for hooking up my race kit. I’ve trained in it about 4 times since getting it back from you. It looks great and feels fantastic! You can check out a picture of the last top he did for me. Also, thank you Mary-Ann, Hank, Devin, Max, Fritz and Shon (get well soon!) for always taking such great care of my bike and getting it race ready. Fritz, I have kept your sticky note which reads… “make us proud!” I hope to report back with a great experience in Kona. Next journal entry will be from KONA!!!