Tri Minus Two: Lanier Islands Resort

We arrived!   Given a choice of taking a lot of backroads or going around Atlanta near rush hour,  we choose the scenic route, passing just west of Athens.   The resort is beautiful and the lake really looks wonderful.  What a setting.   I can't wait to see more tomorrow.

We hung out with an adult beverage in Karin and Senea's room, plotting the century ride we all want to do in 2013.  Karin suggests that Joe be the biking coach and I think that is a splendid idea.  He is well qualified for it.   We want to do the TNT century (100 miles) at Lake Tahoe.  Hint hint Jennie! The event bills itself as "the most scenic" century ride in the USA.  I don't doubt it.  In TNT culture,  one strives for a triple crown.  That is doing one each of a marathon, triathlon, and century ride.    We all are lacking a TNT century to get our triple crown--which is only about bragging right.

Folks in the lobby looked askance at me carrying my bike through the lobby but no way is Reba sleeping out in a cold dark parking lot.   She is now tucked in for the night in our hotel room.  I carried her and didn't want the valet messing with her newly fine-tuned brakes and gears.   The thorn-proof tubes seem to agree with her.

I am not superstitious but I don't tempt fate either.   I've been wearing a special necklace for the last couple of weeks.  The cross belonged to my godmother, Marguerite Martin, when she was a toddler.  If she were alive she'd be 103 or 104 so I reckon the cross is 100 years old.  After 9-11 I wore this cross for about 60 days because I was so shaken by the events.   I am counting on its continuing good luck this weekend.

  Tomorrow will be a very busy day.   We have a meeting to hear details and rules about the course.   I can attend a seminar about changing flat tires (not).   We have the opportunity to swim with all the TNT folks at 3pm to get used to the water course.  I am certainly doing that,  hoping to overcome my jitters.  We are required to check in to get our bib number and we are required to set up our transition area with bike, helmet, and shoes.   Joe and I plan to drive the bike course to see the elevation changes.  Karin and Senea did that this afternoon and give it a thumbs up. And,  we have the Inspiration Dinner with all the TNT people.  Let the crying begin.  I will bawl like a baby from start to end as we hear survivors speak about the impact  of new drugs on their survival.   This dinner is what hooks everyone.  I don't know the stats but I suspect that there is a high percent of "repeat" participants in TNT because we all get hooked on the mission.  After the dinner I have to paint my body, putting my mission message on my arms and legs.  It is something of a TNT tradition to honor survivors and memorialize those who lost the battle.   And,  I have to make my breakfast for game day.  I brought peanut butter, a hard boiled egg, a mini bagel, and  a banana for breakfast at 4:30am Sunday.  I can't risk eating something untested so I packed a cooler with my favorite stuff that I know sits well in my tummy.
I'll have lots of pix tomorrow.

Tri Minus Seven: Drafting, Blocking and Flats

In our biking segment there are very specific rules that we have to follow or be disqualified.
First NO DRAFTING!    Here is a link that shows the generic rules on the prohibition on drafting.   I wouldn't be comfortable drafting anyway but I need to pay attention that I also don't violate the NO BLOCKING rule too, by accident.
Drafting Rules

The "bummer" rule is that nobody can help me change a flat or that can get me dis-qualified too.   I have to admit that I never learned how to change a flat tire.  It is more complicated than you can image and now I really regret that I never focused on that.   I've always biked with Joe or biked in events where that wasn't the rule.  I found out about this yesterday and am a little dismayed.   So of all the things I have to worry about,  I really need to not have a flat.    I am taking Reba into the bike spa on Thursday for her mani/pedi.  I may ask them to put in new tubes just to be on the safe side in case the tubes are old.  Now that I think about it,  those tubes are old and probably on the verge of dry-rot.

There are other funny rules too.  For example, a spectator, like a hubby, can't hand one a snack on the road.  We have to leave the transition area fully prepared and not rely on any help on the road.   Also, if one leaves the transition area and the helmet strap isn't fastened,  that is disqualifying.  I can appreciate that one for safety.   No iPods are allowed.  I get that one too.   Here is a funny one:  doing the running segment while wearing one's bike helmet is disqualifying.  Shoot me if I forget to take my helmet off---I am really off my rocker if I do that.    Also nudity in the transition area is prohibited.  Thank goodness!

Today's forecast for Sunday at Lake Lanier, GA:
Overnight Low 60 degrees   ( we will gather at 4:45 am to go to the transition area for 7 am start)
High 79 degrees
Mostly sunny.
Winds ENE 6 mph

Current water temps are estimated at 69 degrees ( a little chilly).  I've already beat that wet suit thing to death.

Reba asked me to ask to you pray that her tubes hold out for 19 miles.