Finally Here!!

We arrived in Penticton yesterday evening, after a long journey here.  No trains...but two planes and an automobile.  Woke up at 4am yesterday, and was picked up at 5 sharp by our awesome buddy Mo (aka my fellow Flying Foreigner).  Flights were pretty much on time, and the only real issue was the teeny tiny overhead bins on the first flight, and the fact that I had taken all my race gear on as carry-on...not trusting Delta with that stuff...so it was a little overstuffed.  But, removed the helmet, and voila - it fit.  We got one mother of an SUV - Chevy Suburban - so we could fit all the bikes and people at once, and headed out from Spokane for the 5 hour drive to Naramata.  We are actually staying up the road from Penticton, since there was no room left in Penticton!  The drive was beautiful.  

We got to the house around 6, and headed out for dinner around 7.  Stayed in the little "downtown" of Naramata, given how late it was and how tired we were.  Good choice, as it turned out, as we pulled into The Station.  Had a really great burger, a good glass of BC wine, or 3 pints of really good beer, depending on who you are, and some great conversation with a senior couple sitting in the booth next to us.  Girl who served us, who is engaged to the owner of the Bike Barn who will be out on the course, also very nice to talk to, and typical Canadian making instant friends and getting right in your business like an old friend.

Full and smiling we headed back to the house to reassemble the bikes, which went very smoothly, thanks to the expert tutelage of bike mechanic extraordinaire, Curtis Henry.  We love ya dude!  Bikes were all good and happy.  Of course, neither of us has a pump  :)  lol.   But apparently the next door neighbour, Paul, should since he is also racing...looks like we'll be calling on the neighbour sometime this morning.  So bikes together, Z and I sat out at the firepit for a good chat and some more beer (aka water for me).   Then we headed to bed for a good night's sleep.

So today, most of the rest of our international entourage arrives.  Richard will be at the house this am, having arrived from Australia on the weekend, and Mum and Aunt Pat (here from England), should arrive this afternoon some time.  Kayla doesn't get here till Friday morning, but if this warp speed movement towards Sunday continues, that'll be here in a flash.

Today the plan is to go for a swim, then drive the course while partaking in some of the best wine the world has to offer...truly.  Too bad the wineries are so small, and it doesn't make it to most markets.  This is world class wine here people.  We'll bring some back to Atlanta for you to enjoy at our post-Ironman celebration.

I'm surprisingly not nervous.  Yet.  I know the butterflies will come Sunday morning, but those are different from nervous.  I've had such an overwhelming feeling of support from all of you, I just honestly am looking forward to experiencing the day, and rocking it out the best I can.

How blessed I am to be able to do this.

Happy training
Kat