Steelhead- Pre Race

Thursday night A, her boy toy, and I headed to my parents about half way from Cleveland to Benton Harbor. We got in around 11 and went straight to bed. I unfortunately didn't sleep very well. I woke up about every hour all night and finally gave up on sleeping around 7 AM.

I made some pancakes and coffee and we had breakfast with my parents before heading to Benton Harbor.

The drive was pretty uneventful other than one area of construction. We arrived at the hotel around 1:20. No rooms were available yet so we went to the race expo. We were going to ride first but it was really hot so we decided to just get our race packets and try out our wetsuits in the lake. We got in line right behind Iron Shelley. I wasn't sure it was her but I saw her fill out her USAT form and said hello. We would be seeing her for dinner so we let her get on her way, she had family waiting!

We got our stuff and purchased the race cycling jerseys. Not sure if I am going to like it but A and I like to match when we work out together so we both got one.

We changed into our wetsuits (this took much longer than it should have) and hopped in the lake to test them out. It was absurdly warm. I did not feel comfortable in the wetsuit at all. I was secretly hoping they would ban the wetsuits so I wouldn't have to make any decisions about wearing it the next morning.

Met DJ and his wife as we were headed to the showers. Talked a bit before going to ride and rack our bikes.

We got back to the cars and realized we didn't have much time to get over to dinner. We did a quick 1 mile bike ride to test all our gears and racked our bikes in transition.

Headed over to the hotel and got checked in and showered then it was off to the restaurant for dinner with the blog crowd.

It was nice meeting everyone (as always!) we were all a mix of nerves and excitement. I had a very hard time containing myself. It was very fun talking with all these other people who understood exactly how you felt without you having to say a word. My family also came to the restaurant and ate at a table next to the blog crowd, it was fun having them there. My mom and dad truly are my biggest fans and they try to make it to all of my major races. As a special treat my aunt and uncle also came out to cheer me on. I felt very loved.

Dinner was over much too soon, we took some pics and headed on our way.

Our hotel room only had a king bed so my cousin had sent an air mattress along with my parents for us to use so we got that from my dad before heading to Walgreen's to stock up on the race necessities, sunscreen, gatorade, and water.

Once we got back to the hotel we had to inflate the air mattress in the parking lot because the air pump didn't have a plug adapter. We felt pretty silly hauling the full air mattress into the hotel but we had fun documenting the whole thing.

Once setup in the room we got all of our stuff around. A and her boy toy went for a walk while I called David and rinsed off our wetsuits.

We finally got everything set with a last run through of the checklist. T read off the checklist as A and I both put everything into our bags confirming that we weren't forgetting anything. Once everything was squared away I set the hotel alarm, my watch alarm, and ordered a wake up call. Around 11 we finally got to bed.

Pics from before the race below! More to come soon!

19 comments:

Habeela said...

As always those re awesome pics!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Sounds like fun! That is hilarious about the air matress!!

Anonymous said...

Boy toy?

Does that mean that you can't set me up with a date with A?

-daryl

Backofpack said...

It looks like you guys had a great time! Sometimes I think the pre/post race stuff is more fun than the race. Love the air mattress pictures!

Scott said...

Wow great job and pics. I love the energy you put into all of this - you seemed to be having such fun which is what counts the most!

Cliff said...

Boy,

who would have so much fun shopping for gatorade in a supermarket??

I gotta a superhero on my bike..perhaps a mini homer :)

Mama Duck said...

Great pics, looks like you had FUN!!

Lynne said...

It has never occurred to me to take an air mattress to a hotel room. I will have to remember that!

Black Knight said...

As usual very nice pictures that make us to understand how funny are your "adventures".

erin said...

loved the pictures my dear and of course since I didn't say it before CONGRATULATIONS on finishing!! you have officially become my hero and someday maybe say in a million years, we can do a marathon together (I'm sooo not up for an Ironman, even a half). ;)

wish me luck tomorrow...let's hope I still enjoying running! ;)

3iron said...

Great job! My runs splits also went high on mile 11 - that was some tough going. How about soaking in the water after the race - was that great or what?

Rich said...

Congratulations on a great finish!

Iron Jayhawk said...

You're too funny! Love the account and the mattress...hah!


PS...you were in my dream the other day...weeeeeeeeeeeeird!

Trisaratops said...

I am so behind on life and blogs right now!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew you could come sub-6! Way to kick butt chica! :)

qcmier said...

Awesome Job at the Race!!! Can't wait to hear more about the race and see more crazy pictures!!!

Kate said...

Hi Elizabeth! I am a long time lurker and have just got the internet at home so can finally come out in the open. Congratulations on Steelhead (and on all your other achievements!!) You really are an inspiration to me- you seem so happy, so well balanced and so confident.

Kim said...

espeed, you really crack me up with your pictures!!! VERY impressed with your results! you did GREAT! by the way, i was bib#1642 for one of my half-marathons! i think that's the best number around!

Mojo said...

Looks like you had a great friend to spend time with pre-race. Very cool your parents came to watch you too. All that support must have made you the E-speedy you are today! :)

So, were wetsuits allowed?

Jodi said...

Great race! So is Ironman in your future? ;)