Never underestimate the importance of race preparation and a
good support network. Let’s start with
the support network…
Today is my birthday so yesterday three of my wonderful
friends took me to lunch. Lunch with
these people is always a raucous event and this lunch was no exception, for my
birthday party was themed. The Little
Mermaid…the theme was The Little Mermaid in honor of the swimming portion of
the Triathlon this Saturday.
They brought a Little Mermaid cake (complete with Little
Mermaid candle). Little Mermaid party favor bags that included little rubber
fish, a pin wheel to attach to my bike during the race, a clamshell locket with
Ariel’s picture on one side and mine on the other, and a Nalgene water bottle
with the picture of Rachael, Stephanie and me in our swim caps on it.
Oh and that’s not all.
They decided I should have a little something special for
the swim portion of the race so my friend Meikle created a one-of-a-kind swim cap…covered with rhinestones and lest anyone mistake me for someone else, my
name is on the cap in purple puffy paint! There is also a visor for my run – it’s pink, with flowers
on it – with “Athena 2007” on it…in puffy paint.
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my entire life…or
felt so loved and supported by my friends. I hope everyone is lucky enough to have people this special supporting
their race dreams.
Now onto the preparations.
I’ve not been sleeping well, for about a week or so. I have dreams that not only do I suck at
running but I’m a lousy swimmer and cyclist too! I’ve been dwelling on various aspects of the
race so yesterday I decided to go shopping for all of the odds and ends
supplies that I need for the race – a new bike mounted air pump, CLIF Shot
Bloks, more spare tubes, and something to cover my booty-short tri suit. Mission Accomplished!
After my shopping extravaganza, I decided to drive the bike
course for Saturday’s race. Now that I’ve
seen it and I know what I’m in for, I feel much better. Fewer aspects of the race are a mystery now…and
finally, I slept like a baby.
-Erin