Totally overwhelming and unbelievable day yesterday.  We couldn't have planned it any better.  Started at the swim finish where we could cheer BTers (and other athletes) ;) out of the water, moved to assisting pick up gear bags, where we could talk to everyone after getting off the bike, and ended up at the finish line, which was the most amazing experience EVER!  I just can't explain how special it was catching at the finish line. Walking and talking with athletes who have just completed the most difficult and rewarding achievement of their life was amazing.  It was very cool talking to each person. Everyone had a different story and a different experience on the course.  One of my favorite moments of the entire weekend was being able to see and cheer Amy Engle at each discipline.  I was so special to share the ironman experience with her and she had an unbelievably strong perfomance.

Lots more to say, but the brain and body are pretty numb right now, and we've got one more shift to work for the awards banquet before heading home.

Yoganerd and I spent all day yesterday at athlete checkin.  Once again, I was at the entrance and got to meet every athlete who came through.  VERY cool.   Amymengle came through with a camera and a smile and gushing the entire time she stood in line!  If you don't know Amy, your life is not complete.  That's the best way I can explain the ray of sunshine that eminates around her! :) :)  Another good  moment was when racer  number 1 checked in.  Chris McDonald.  What a cutie. ;) 

The two main volunteer directors here are amazing.  A cute, spunky little blonde who makes  us feel like celebrities since we "paid money" to come volunteer.  She is fond of grabbing yoganerd and telling people that she flew here from Minneapolis just to volunteer.  I can tell she definitely thinks we're nuts! (we are) ;)  David Buckner is the volunteer director and just a total sweetheart.  He'll competing in IMWI.  Some REALLY nice people down here. :)

It was another really amazing (and exhausting) day here.  Met up with the BT crew for a.m. swim.  We have such an inspirational and amazing group of athletes here.  The bold yellow shirts were an excellent idea.  So fun meeting someone on the street and stopping for conversation.  Hung out for awhile around the swim area then headed over to the expo.  Had lunch with Amymengle, her husband, Gaary, and yoganerd.  There were other Bters at the restaurant, but it was easier to get tables for smaller groups.  Headed off to drive the bike course after dinner.  Only one hill was truly scary, but I knew that going in.  It was nice to see just how scary it was in person though.  I don't think I have a hill near me quite like it.  I will definitely make the best of the next couple of years to get more comfortable.  Checked out the swim start, which is a time trial. You swim against the current around an island, then with the current down to the end.  Really am glad I checked it out.  This is doable! :)

Having some connectivity issues, but will definitely try to check in during a break tomorrow afternoon.

:) LUAVILLE OR BUST :)

Packing up and heading out to Louisville this morning.  Original plan was to ride the bike course this afternoon before picking yoganerd up at the airport, but it seems that all 2000 particpants in IMKY will be driving the course this afternoon, I decided it may be wise to postpone my ride for a calmer day in Louisville.  Got an email last night from the volunteer director looking for last minute workers for athlete checkin, so I picked up an afternoon shift.  VERY excited to meet our BT athletes (and the non BTers ;) ) who have worked their a$$es off to become an ironman! Best of luck to everyone racing!

Its raining and I'm feeling lazy this morning.  I am NOT in the mood to run, but I'll do it anyway.  After all, I'm gonna be skipping lots of workouts this weekend.  I mentally need this run.

Got some good feedback yesterday about my run performance in Sunday's race from the coaches on the gold support thread.  Looks like I just took in too many calories. 

Too many calories too close to the start of the race. So, you started  the race with a full stomach, and then tried to race - which means you were asking your body to supply blood to your muscles while asking your stomach to break down food. So, your body was in a quandry, and usually will decide to send blood supply to the major muscles.

On the bike you took in probably 200-300 calories too many. You were on the bike for 1:40 give or take and you probably needed about 300 calories tops. Considering what you took in before the race, I would say even less in acuality.

So, on top of all this, you have a HR issue at the start of the run. So, now your are asking your body to support itself while running, digest an extra 440 calories, and keep your HR down in the 140s? Not going to happen, as you found out. So, going out slow or hard, walking or running, I think you would have had problems here. Just too much in terms of calories. This caused your gut to explode and just tanked your race.

This is great information for me.  I defnitely would have been trying to fix the wrong thing on my own. I thought I didn't take in enough calories! These are easy adjustments for next time. :)