I started the day out with a five mile run on the treadmill at 6:30ish/open marathon pace to loosen things up. My plan for a taper is always to keep the intensity around, while substantially decreasing the overall milage that I do both on the run and in the bike. I followed up that good run with an equally great breakfast again here at the Sheraton. Huge plate of veggies/eggs.
The second workout of the day was a 21 mile ride from hotel out on the highway, then ending at the pier for the check in and athlete registration. Registration opened today at 9am and I wanted to get this done in the morning. I met everyone (family) outside of the King Kemehameha hotel and left the bike with them.
Registration process for the world championship is a bit different than other Ironman races. They don't let family back with you, and you are assigned a person that will walk through all the papers and stuff. Many of the volunteers here are people who travel to Kona just to put on a volunteer shirt and help for the week.
When I was done with registration, I was led out to the official ironman store. Mom was stocking up on shirts/hats/etc and feeding the business that is Ironman. Went back to hotel and then off for a massage. A very painful but successful massage.
We had reservations at "fish hopper" restaurant for the parade of nations at 5. The parade of nations is like an opening ceremony type of parade that athletes can choose to walk in if you want to. I get the feeling that some countries really encourage athletes to walk (Germany, Australia) while others don't (USA).
Day ended with a visit to the ABC store, walk back to the car, and a crash in the bed. Just a few more sleeps until the big one.
These signs are everywhere on the highway. There are also some places to stop and get liquids/foods. Training aid stations.
The natural energy lab. This was my favorite part of the course last year. It's on the last half of the marathon - you go down near the ocean and run along the water for a little bit and catch a nice cooling breeze.
Aiden has started to LOVE chocolate milk - this is pretty cool
Inside registration - checking names off
Sitting down and going over everything
Bib #'s and packets
Posters from every Ironman World Championship race
Ironman plate dude
Ironman store
Green wristbands brand the competitors this year
Cement trucks?
Germany was well represented
I have owed this ukulele to Aiden for a while
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