101 Bradenton Pre-Race

Yea, it's Friday and the race isn't until Sunday, but since I haven't done a race this long and with the different bags and such, I wanted to put all that together tonight and tomorrow morning before I went back down with my bike. Pre-race jitters. I'm really trying not to think much about it, but after seeing the swim course, sans-buoys, it's hard not to get just a little bit excited.

Check out the massive Transition area! It's awesomely small...only has to hold my bike and about 200 others. Can you belive it? I can't remember a tri that I've done, period, that has had less than 200 total people in it. I talked with a Volunteer there and he tells me that we will have our bikes taken from us after the bike leg is done for sure, and if they have enough volunteer support, our bikes will be handed to us after the swim as well. Pretty cool - makes me feel kinda special (and no, I've never done an M-dot race). Just to make sure, I checked, and Blink, I can fit in the changing tent...

There is no beach, so they will remove these bars in the barrier and we will start and stop the swim here. Still no idea if it's a water start, but for safety's sake, I'm guessing we will be in the drink. Another first for the Bigun. At least along the wall where I was standing, there was no perceivable current - but out there a ways, and first thing in the morning instead of 4pm when I was there - we'll see.

It was 90 degrees when I was out there taking pics. The high for Sunday, however, calls for 85 degrees and a 30% chance of rain. It is supposed to be 71 degrees when we start; too bad we have to waste the low temps while we are in the water! Tomorrow may be different, but the "expo" was one running store vendor, a gel-guy, and the infinite drink provider for Sunday's race. I got a chance to sample the bike and the run formulas - I know, fancy-schmancy - and I'm guessing they'll be fine for me. The bike formula's got some protein mixed in, and I could tell it was a little "thicker" - but nothing that wouldn't quench the thirst.

I drove in along the 6 miles of HWY 64 that we will be biking on - the road is in great shape, and except for the 2 little bridges in the middle, it's Desiree's 6-pack flat. It's got 2 and 3 lanes on either side of the road in places, so traffic will be running on the right as we ride. Traffic was thick from 3pm - 4pm, but on Sunday morning, except for Churchgoers, it shouldn't be too bad. The race starts at 7am - so by 1pm give or take, at the absolute peak heat of the day, I should be off the bike and running. Go Bigun!

I spread all the stuff I got in my registration kit out here on the couch. I was really looking forward to the advertised visor as I was going to wear it on the run. Looks like I'll be going with my favorite hat again - schwag from my Miami-Man half - it's just such an awesome cap. Believe it or not, I have yet to look inside the new Inside Triathlon issue with a sexy Desiree pose on the cover.

Because I'll be able to change into whatever I want on the bike, my plan is to wear the coveted raceAthlete bike jersey and my favorite bib-shorts. This would have been the perfect time to announce a really special deal I was selected for, but since I don't know all the details, and the "kit" is on order and is 5-10 weeks out, I'll hold off on that. Anyway, I'll change into an awesome pair of nike tights and running shorts (no bike pad...yea!) with the uber-tight white nike run top (no nipple bleeding, hopefully), and be on my plodding way.

Now I have no idea how this will work, meaning if it will be your typical web cam and dreary triathlon race coverage or if it will be pretty cool - but you'll have to be the judge as I'll be out on the course. And since most of you will be racing on Sunday, well - maybe my family will be able to tell me how the coverage was. Click here for the 101 Bradenton website. Near the top there is a red headline that says, "Live Race Coverage" - after you click on that there are 3 choices - a blog, video, and "intime results" - whatever that will be. Perhaps it will give our splits as we cross over the many timing mats it will take to keep track of our 9 different loops we'll be traversing.

I've read so much and I thank everyone for their support and guidance for this race. I truly plan to take it easy for the front half of this race - and somehow leave enough in the tank so that the 18.6 mile run is not a pain-fest. I like the comment of Excel-Man, "its a catered 18.6m run" - of course, I respond well to words like "catered"... The race area should look even better tomorrow after all the signs are hung and more people are milling around. I'll write more later!