1 hour ride... Sheree and Paige arrive!

This morning Patti, Floyd and I set out for an hour ride. It was a bit of cycling 101 for me but I learned a lot! I have picked up a bit of a cold from my step mom but it does not appear to be too bad. I should be good for Lavaman.

Shortly after our ride two of my biggest fans arrived. Sheree and Paige have been planning on being here since day one. Sheree has been such a trooper, she has done much of the training with me. Sheree truly helped me through many of those long run days, oh, and might I add the snow storm! Thanks Sheree for being such a great friend and training buddy... now lets get to work on that swim so you can TRI!

After a lunch stop we headed home and the kids were ready to play in the pool!

From the hallway of the King Kam Hotel.

SWIM

Bike

Run!

Sheree and I treated Paige to a Luau. When Sheree and Johnnie were in Kauai we went to one but we just saw the show so it was a bit of a treat for Sheree too. While we were drinking our Mia Tia's they had some activities so we headed over to make a fish out of the palm leaves.

They showed us how to shuck a coconut.

We got to eat some too.

The Royal Court Arrived.
Normally this occurs on the ocean in the bay but the sight of the Luau has been changed sine the Tsunami. Unfortunate but we still had a great time.

Sheree almost past over the Poi

Yep, I made her eat it too!
& she ate it all.

Sheree dancing with her baby : )

Super fun night! Happy to have some friends here! We were training and working so hard it was time to have some fun!

Monday : Off Day

We took toady off as we have begun to taper for our race. I walked into our bedroom and found this... My little man gearing up! Gotta love it!



Tex, took us down to our favorite morning hang out, anyone who knows me knows I love Lava Java! I have so many wonderful memories here! I just can't even begin to explain. Great food, great friends, great family!






After breakfast I went to Pattie's to knock off the rest of the work before Sheree and Paige got here. We put Tristan into daycare for the day and Tex went shopping and went to a movie. After I got home from Patti's TJ and I took a dip in the pool.



As we were all settling in for dinner we watched another beautiful sunset. Another great day!

6.2 Mile run

Today Patti took me back out to Waikoloa to run the entire run coarse. I can't believe how great I have been feeling on my training days! I am so excited for the race I can't stand it! Since we are tapering for the race this week I actually even find myself missing exercise on my days off! Every moment while I am here I am saying to myself "am I really running this triathlon?" Well, I am and I AM READY!

This tree is across our running coarse. Lavaman Xterra : )
Ian & Sam this one's for you!

This break in the beach was caused by the tsunami, where we would normally finish here entering from the right and finishing on the beach to the left, we now have to run around the lagoon and the finish line will be on the left side of the break. All in all the coarse looks great!

We are praying for a good tail wind on the return portion of the bike coarse and a bit of clouds in the sky for race day!

Brick - Bike Run

Today we are doing a brick, two events in one day. We drove out to Waikoloa to ride the Lavaman bike course and the do a three mile run (1/2 of the Lavaman course). Today there are high wind advisories. It is probably the heaviest wind I have ever riden in. Patti is letting me use her bike for the race and the from the moment I shifted gears I new it was a great bike! It was so smooth. We had a tail wind going out and it was like heaven. My pace was more than double what it was at home. On the way back that was another story. Headed strait into the wind we were as slow as 5 - 6 miles per hour at times. It was crazy! Once Tex got back with the truck we transitioned right into the run. Patti showed me the route and we ended up running four miles rather than 3. Another really great training day. After we were done I was more aware than ever that I am ready for this race! It literally brought tears to my eyes! Lavaman here I come!

Great swim in Kona

Today Patti and I began our training and acclimation in Hawaii. We headed down to the pier for a 1.2 mile swim. As some of you know I tend to freak a little bit when I get in the ocean. I don't know why? Especially after all the years life guarding on the river and the swift water rescue courses. Patti and a started off slow as we headed for the first set of buoy's. Once I got into my rhythm I was on my way! Ended up being a great swim! One of my best!

Aloha Lavaman

Aloha, Lavaman, I have arrived on this beautiful island to share your spirit and energy to accomplish one of my largest tasks to date. Please bring us safety, peace and strength!

Happy Birthday My Love!

Today was my loves 47th birthday. We laid pretty low as we have all been recovering from the cold. Tex' cold seems to have really drawn out. I made him a yummy Mexican Casserole and forgot until I put it on the table that Hanna does not like Mexican food.

The kids did not love it so they ate some cereal.

After dinner we all got into the truck and drove out to look at the car Hanna is looking into buying... yep, can you believe it? Our little girl is ready to drive, WATCH OUT!

When we got home it was time for Tex to open his gifts and to have some cake...
Chocolate Fantasy to be exact.

Happy Birthday my love!