Going the Olympic Distance

4:30 am ..

Good nights rest a little sleepy but ready for the race. I take one last look over my race checklist. Mix my Clif shot drink, protein shake, and prep my block band. Pack the car & mount my bike.

5:15 am ..

I head out to Rancho Seco, which takes me a good 45 min. For those of you who do not know, Rancho Seco use to be a power plant, but was closed due to power issues. Now its preserved as a state park for recreation use down in Galt off of Twin City Rd.

6 am ..

I'm one of the first to arrive so I get a good spot on the rack right by the bike entrance. Reserved Only for TBF members. At the registration table I had to pay any extra $9 for a one day USAT membership pass. I walk around the race venue to see the were the swim starts & finishs, were I will come in and exit off my bike and head out for the run. I get my body marking which is my race # 222, they usually use a marks-a-lot and write your race number on your shoulders, across the top of your hands, knees, and your age on the back of your calf. I hear there looking for a good body marker for the Luna Bar all womens triathlon : )

7 am ..

After that, I go out on my usual warm up, first on the bike to run through the gears and warm up my legs about 3 miles. This course has speed bumps coming in & out of the park so all you can do is go straight over them and try to dampen the impact without losing speed. Then I head out on the run course and go out about a 2 miles. Eat and drink the last of my fuel which consists of a protein shake and a clif bar. Peter & Jerry are the first to arrive and I'm glad to see them come out to watch me start. I stretch out and use the restroom one last time. 15 min. before the start I go out on my swim warm up and swim out to the first bouye.

The water is surprisingly warm, compared to the freezing 50 degree water the lake this time was a nice 70 degrees and I didn't need a wet suite. This time we start in waist deep water and the announcer calls the 5 min. warning ......