T.G.I.Don’t.Know!

TGIF to all you back home.   TGItheDayBeforeTheRace for me.  Or whatever time zone we’re in.  So far it’s been a great week and everything has gone pretty smoothly and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this experience.   

The flight was long (I think all of Monday was just sucked into a black hole) and I have no idea how many time zones I crossed, but I’m pretty sure we were fed a meal in each one of them (and I am not one to turn away a good meal…)  Other than the culinary delights mid-flight, the other bright spot was the beautiful Emirates Airlines flight attendants’ uniforms. Is this the coolest thing you’ve ever seen or what? She looks like a Middle Eastern I Dream of Genie.   I couldn’t help but think this would make a killer Halloween costume. She posed for my camera (after asking me to email it to her for her Facebook page– I love it!) but alas, wouldn’t give up the goods for my Arabic Princess Costume Aspirations. 

I really got lucky with my homestay— Peter is a local triathlete and is just the coolest guy. He’s been very accommodating and totally helpful.  I also met a great family from NJ on the first flight over here, and we’ve been BFFs ever since, spending most days together and doing various day trips to see the  sights.

Here are a couple shots of biking around gorgeous Rottnest Island.  No cars, just bikes here.  It served as a penal colony for Aboriginals. I would give you more info but I was too busy looking at quokkas (rat-like marsupials) to pay attention to the tour.  So much about this island reminded me of living on Galapagos, hence my big-ol’ smile.  Brought back a great feeling. 

My ever-astute mom, who is not distracted by beautiful beaches, immediately pointed out the unsavory name given to the island. She’s right… it was named by a Dutch explorer and evolved from what we would say “Rat’s Nest,” due to the rodent-looking locals running all over this otherwise perfect little chunk of island off the coast of Perth.  As a result of the Dutchman’s untrained eye, he incorrectly labeled these poor little marsupials.  Yes, they are pouch animals (like kangaroos), and keep their little Joeys in their pouches. So, not rats, but the name stuck. 

We also took a drive up to Yanchep National Park, about an hour north of Perth, to see the koalas and kangaroos. I couldn’t help but think of how silly we looked snapping pictures and squealing with delight at the sight of a kangaroo, which is probably as common as seeing a DEER back home.  I guess that’s the beauty of traveling— ignighting the senses and feeling excitement over the small stuff.  At any rate, I LOVED IT. 

But let’s not forget why we’re here. 

THE RACE.  Yesterday I met the others on the U.S. pro team— all really cool and we had a great time at the country presentation dinner (and crushing that killer dinner).  I’m truly honored to have been selected for this team and will give it my very best.  I swam a bit in the Swan River, and am trying to deal with the fact that the race will likely NOT be wetsuit legal for pros now. (We’re a fraction of a degree too warm at this point… pray for a freeze tonight.)  The only thing I’d hate more than swimming 3k  . . . is swimming 3k without a wetsuit.  But as  they say here:  NO WORRIES, MATE.  

The bike course will be four loops to total 48 miles. I’m a bit concerned with the age group men behind us and the congestion of the course. This distance is definitely a race for the swimmers, and I NEED to open up and bike the hell out of that course– I really hope I can.  I have made some gains in my run lately and I can’t wait to get off the bike and see what I can do. There are some phenomenal athletes here and that truly motivates me, just knowing I’m a part of it.  

Thanks for checking in. There won’t be any online coverage for this race but we take off at what is 8pm Saturday night in Atlanta . . . so while you guys are livin’ it up back home, send me speedy vibes!  I’ll try to post a quick update post-race, but if you don’t hear from me, you can thank a bull shark.  Just sayin’.