2009 almost over??

Enjoying some of the fabulous ocean after a Christmas morning run along a beach trail in Kona.

Did I hear, never turn your back on the ocean??

Ok, from the sound of that crashing into the rocks, I am gonna get wet'r,,,,

Now there is a big wave, and a lil pink visor in the water!!

A great way to spend a Christmas morning :)

Mele Kalikimaka

Austin Longhorn 70.3

Early morning swim start, this one of the swim heats, that started heading out at 7:30am at Walter E Long Lake.

Not my fastest swim, but actually my most enjoyable swim.

Out on the bike course that went through some farm land and nice rolling hills. Although I was guilty of daydreaming, I did not see any Longhorns!!

56 miles of bike course.

Heading out on the run, from T2 went went through the stadium and came out on this side as we started 3 loops on the run course.

It was exciting to finish in the stadium with all of the spectators cheering and making lots of noise to encourage the racers.

Part of the finishers SWAG, along with the medal and a finishers hat and metal water bottle!!

Monica on her last loop heading to the finish where her sister and family are waiting to cheer her through. The hill in the background does not look like much but seems to go on for ever. Thankfully there was an aid station at the top with the volunteers dressed up in all sorts of costumes.

Congratulations Monica on your first Ironman 70.3 race. Well done, under 6 hours!!! Now for Ironman Canada 2010!!

A great way to end the season, a 70.3 race in Austin Texas. Now for a break from training.

Recovery breakfast at Kerby Lane Cafe . An omelet, along with ginger bread, buttermilk, strawberry and cream as well as Punkin pancakes. One more great reason to love Triathlons
:)

The day before Longhorn 70.3

Some of Monica's cheering section as she gets ready for the practice swim. Carter, Cassidy, Steve and her sister Erica . Hayden, Keeley and Cassidy's friend were already down by the water!!

Walter E long Lake, 7:45am Saturday morning to get an idea of the sun position in the morning. Water was nice and warm, Ok in a wetsuit.

Monica after getting her bike ready to drop off in transition.

The GURU , ready to be dropped off in transition.

Spending the night with 2500 other bikes tonight.

Howdy from Texas !!

Bike assembly in progress, Thursday morning after getting in about midnight Wednesday. Notice the Jacuzzi tub, maybe I will get a chance to try in Sunday after the race

Route 969 in Austin.

More of Austin

University dorms.

Whole Foods, where it all started in Austin Texas. Had a great meal here !!

Gear bags for the race, some have to be dropped of Saturday.

The GURU, taking a rest before the race. I guess I get the couch tonight?

Wrist band, maybe it is good for a beer ticket after the race!!

One more practice swim tomorrow, a short bike and run, and then rack the bike and drop of the run gear bag, to be ready for Sunday morning, YEHAA!!!!!

Quick trip to Kona

The GURU boxed up and bandaged for another trip.

The start and finish of the World Championship Ironman in Kona Hawaii. King Kamehameha on the sign. I think :)

The Pier is starting to get busier with all of the competitors in town to acclimatize and practice.

The sun coming up over the volcano.

Recognize any world record holders in this photo???

Ick !! Back home in Campbell River with the clothing required to stay warm on a ride. Sun screen and salt tabs are a much better way to go!! Oh well, almost time to put the bike away for the winter :)

Ironman Canada 2009

After travelling about 10 hours it was time to take a break and ride some of the Ironman course. From here it is a short ride on the out and back to Keromeos and the start of Yellow Lake hill.

Some of the scenery you will see if you are not racing. Ok,, maybe you are able to check out the scenery while racing?

This sign is a relief to see. 32km left to Penticton, then you only have to run 42 more kilometers

The start of the last climb to Yellow Lakes. The beginning of the passing lane and people are cheering and of course Sean has the tunes blaring to get you over the top!!

Another sign that is a relief to see. Rest Area, well, your not really going to get a rest, but you are at Yellow Lakes and a large aid station welcomes you with smiles, cheers and nutrition, in case you have not gotten tired of gels yet!!

Steve tapering a few days before the race. Cool and calm before Ironman #5 !!

I did not get any swim start photos because I ran to the start, took water with me instead of a camera. This photo is about 5 to 7 km into the bike at the north end of Skaha Lake. It is amazing to see the amount of bikes going by for such a long time. I think there were 2818 bikes in the bike lot.

Big Mike from Victoria going by. His hard work training paid off, great race Mike!!

My friend Bob from Vancouver in the yellow. We even dress alike!! Bob could not wait to be an Ironman, congratulations Bob, "You are and Ironman!!!"

Here comes Steve, I wish I was better at photography. I was hoping to get 2 pictures, but instead I took one too far away and missed the 2nd picture all together!!

Right after the finish shoot volunteers helping to make sure everyone is OK and take the finishers to the recovery area. Good thing I got to see this close up, it is one of my jobs at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. As well I will be body marking, maybe I should practice that ?

How can anyone look so good after just finishing and Ironman? Congratulations on another great race Steve and Ironman number five!!!

The recovery area, last year Steve and Al looked after me well, this time I was able to return the favour for Steve. And help him out of the chair :)

Ok, time to have some fun!!!

Steve's daughter Stevie dresses Steve up for the evening. Nice coconuts Steve!!!

Looking for someone to dance with??

And there it is., another Ironman metal. Congratulations Steve and to all of the other Ironman 2009 competitors that put in months of hard training and an amazing day in Penticton!!!

And to the ones that signed up for Ironman 2010, have a great year training and see you at the swim start on August 29th !!!