The race is tomorrow and I’m as ready as I’m going to get.  I arrived in St. George two nights ago, checked in yesterday and went to the Welcoming Banquet and race briefing last night.  And now I’m awake at 0450, tomorrow will be earlier-i’ll catch a shuttle at 0435 to T1.

Yesterday I also went to a practice swim session at the venue. For some reason I didn’t turn my watch on but believe they let us cover 800m on the course. Safety assistance was on the course and it was controlled quite tightly. Despite my thick wetsuit this was the coldest swim I can remember doing. My face was screaming, “no, don’t do this!!” But I eventually became accustomed and was fine. Numb hands as I’ve had before in the pool was compounded though so I imagine getting all my gear on in T1 will be charming. Did you know wetsuits can be compulsory in races? I don’t remember ever seeing that but they will be tomorrow unless the water temperature raises one degree. Wow. It was so cold. My dream to do the Norseman just vanished.

I wanted to keep the body moving so rode the bike for 1.5 hours in a fairly easy ride on the course. Plenty of other out doing the same. I wanted to see how much I’d want to drink in the heat. I used about 1 bottle every 45 minutes. There are aid stations every 12 to 15 miles on the course so I could probably get by with 2 bottles but I’m going to carry 4 as dehydration is my biggest fear right now. I think I can keep moving forward unless I get locked up in heat cramps so I’ll do all I can to not let that happen.

Sign on board
Can you see my signature?
Wall of registrant names
At the banquet

I turn my bike and run gear in this morning and will piddle around the rest of the day. I may do a 20-30 minute jog to keep the legs moving and will be careful what I eat. Will keep it clean with protein and carbs, low fat and no fried stuff to hurry the belly. Pasta for dinner tonight at my aunt’s house and that’s about it.