Time to work...

Well, many of you know that I came to Hawaii for two reason's. 1- the watch my sister run the Lavaman, and 2 - to get both my taxes and Lisa's taxes finisher so today is the day. As patty and I we making our coffee we saw the praying mantis on her patio... creepy. It looked like a piece of a palm tree, I was not even sure that it was real but it was! Then out her kitchen window I saw this beautiful blooming hibiscus. It was absolutely gorgeous.



After working on taxes and various things all day. Tex, Tristan, Dani and her family showed up a bit early that we expected. Patti and I still had a bit of work to do so we moved down stairs. We had planned a Pou Pou (horderves) party for 6p,. We new Dani and her family took the red eye tonight but we thought they left at 10, they actually left at 850. I whipped up Sue's shrimp dish which turned out pretty good for not having all of the spices. As some of Patti's other friends began to arrive Tex and I ran Dani and her family down to the airport. When we returned we spent much of the night sharing storied with friends and family and laughing hysterically... (Tonda & Larry)! Still laughing!

Work hard and play hard!

Dustin and his fruity beverage!
I think this was number 3

The day after the Lavaman

Today was supposed to be a day of relaxation but all in all it was a pretty busy day. First on the agenda, Tristan's Dolphin encounter. I have been to the Hilton Wiakoloa countless times and I never considered doing the dolphin encounter because it was so expensive, however, they had a very reasonable rate for toddlers and I got to go with him. It was almost 2 for the price of 1. How could I not give Tristan that opportunity?

Tristan was a little scared of the dolphin at first, I am sure because of her size. He did finally warm up to her. When we touched her nose she made a really funny squeaking noise. We got to touch her and watch her do tricks. We even got to put our hand over her "blow hole" Super cool! Tristan even got to the point to where he would feed her! It was a great experience!













After we left the dolphin area, we took the boat back to our room to help Tex load the car. He was so nice! He offered to take a load back to the house while Patti, Tristan and I played by the pool.

This was the entrance to our hotel. There were 3 or 4 hotel on the grounds. We were in the Grand Palace.

After much playing Tristan finally decided to take a nap. I was able to lay him down in the shade of the palm trees.

Lavaman...It's Race Day for Patti!

Today is the day that Patti has been training for for months. This race is not just another triathlon, it is the culmination of my sister coming to terms with herself in her own skin in so many ways, mentally, physically and spiritually. I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of her! Patti is such an inspiration to me!

We started the day rather early, 430am, breakfast and then we were off to "follow the other 800 people" that were headed to the race. We were staying at the hotel next to where the race was so Patti rode her bike over and Tasha and I walked. We got some spectacular photo's along the way!

Man, I wish I would have had some of that oatmeal : )

Light lighting up Bike transition area.

Contestants in like to get into the bike transition area.

Mona Kea, Bills van in the for ground.

The Chip...
The chip is put around the ankle to monitor their progress.

Our spot. Located between the entry to the water and the finish line.

Fans, and contestants lining the beach of Wiakoloa.

Me and my sis.

Patti and her friend Cindy.

Patti and her trainer Bill... great guy, great energy!

The pep talk!

The white wave... Pros.

The red wave.

Patti's friend Carol, mentor and nutritionist.

The green wave.

The pink wave.

The yellow wave, Patti's wave.
Patti supporting Carol.

The Start

Where is my mommy?

INSPIRATION!

Patti in the yellow swim cap.

Patti leaving on her bike, you can hardly see her shirt. She is in front of the girl and to her right.

Bill is a hippy! Love it! Love the ride/house!

Chris McCormick in transition. Finished #1 1:49:24

Top four following McCormick after bike.

This bike tells a painfull story of how hard this course really was. This contestant never transitioned from the water to the bike.

Martina Navratilova ran a relay of the course and was the bike leg of her team.

This is Patti in transition. Notice the bare feet. Last night she tells me she watched a video of how the "pro's" transition. Need I remind you she told me she watched this yesturday. What happens is the rider takes their feet out of their shoes prior to the dismount area, then once they are to the dismount location they can step off the bike, (rather than clicking out of the pedals) and begin to run to their transions spot. Patti proceeds to tell me that she is going to practice on the way to the race and if she can do it easily she will try it during the race.

The bare feet tells me it was a success.

Headed out for the run.

Rounding the corner after the bike transition. The videa is sideways but I could not rotate it.

Tasha waiting patiently for mommy!

The finish line.

Patti crossing the finish line.

                          LAVAMAN TRIATHLON INDIVIDUAL
                    FINAL OVERALL RESULTS -- 2010

Place No. Ca Name                   Age Sex Div
660 685  I Patricia Welter (hende  47   F F4549

Rank Swim    Pace   T-1    Rank   Bike  Rate Rank  T-2    Rank
714   39:23  2:21    1:03  616 1:33:53  15.8  466    1:57  653

Run     Pace  Time
1:15:45 12:13 3:31:59

Patti after the finish.

Patti with Tasha after the finish.

Patti talking with Ann after the finish.

Patti and her trainer Bill after the finish.

FOOD!

Hanging with the girls after the finish!

The aftermath...

Consider me in training, 2011 Lavaman here I come!