Another odd bike shop moment...IMAZ is here!

[Running Mommy]

Ahhh Ironman is coming. The tri bikes are coming out of the woodwork, and the Iron tourists are hitting town.
This morning I had a gentleman waiting for me when I arrived. He's a member of the British Army and is here to race. Apparently he's staying at our local Air force base. He had a couple of easy technical things, and he was asking about the race. I offered to take him around to tour the bike course as he won't have a car until next week. As we were talking he asked my name, When I replied "Denise" he smiled and said "you wouldn't be the one w/the you tube video, would you??".
Here we go again!!!!!!
He was so excited that he asked to take a picture with me!! ha ha ha

It was so nice to meet someone from across the pond who happens to share my passion. And finding that he had shown his friends my video was cool! I was actually BLUSHING- which doesn't happen often..

He has a SWEET Pinarello too!

Anyway, just had to share my morning. I'm starting to really get STOKED to race!

[Veronica]

I'm SO glad you decided to go for it!

V.

[KSH]

Awesome! I bet you get some nice sales going out of IMAZ coming into town.

Which reminds me... three questions:

1) What is the address of your shop?

2) Do you think it's safe to ride the bike course for the IM, the day before the race?

3) Is it still cool to have my bike dropped off on Monday and have you ship it back to me?

[Running Mommy]

13380 W. Van Buren. Take I-10 west to Dysart Rd, take a left on Dysart, take a right on Van Buren. We are less than a mile up on the right side, directly behind papa johns pizza.

Yes, LOTS of people will prolly be out riding, but there will be traffic. Tho they are used to bikes on that stretch. If you don't mind coming to the west valley I can hook you up w/some riding partners. Otherwise check the greater arizona bicycling assoc. website for ride maps in the valley.

OF COURSE you may drop off your bike! We'll take tender loving care of her, and get her back to you asap. Can't be without your baby.
I have some bikes in now, so I'll save a box. What's your frame size?

[KSH]

13380 W. Van Buren. Take I-10 west to Dysart Rd, take a left on Dysart, take a right on Van Buren. We are less than a mile up on the right side, directly behind papa johns pizza.

Yes, LOTS of people will prolly be out riding, but there will be traffic. Tho they are used to bikes on that stretch. If you don't mind coming to the west valley I can hook you up w/some riding partners. Otherwise check the greater arizona bicycling assoc. website for ride maps in the valley.

OF COURSE you may drop off your bike! We'll take tender loving care of her, and get her back to you asap. Can't be without your baby.
I have some bikes in now, so I'll save a box. What's your frame size?

Cool. Thanks for the directions. I'm not sure where my Uncle lives... but I'm sure he can get me where I need to go.

Riding buddies? Might be interesting. Although I can't really say what my schedule will be on Sat. I better just ride the course and hope someone in a car doesn't kill me.

I believe my bike is a 50 CM or a 49... or a 51? Not over a 51, I think!
I'm only 5'4" so it's not a big bike. I'm glad you are packing it! I wouldn't trust anyone else. Yea, I want it back soon, but I also don't want to pay for expensive shipping... HA! Until I get it back I have my roadie to ride. Although I won't have a bike on the trainer so that will suck.

Thanks again! See you soon!

Which reminds me... is there some sort of plan? I'll be at the swim Sat AM, since the BTers (Beginner Triathlete) are meeting then. I won't be swimming though. From there I'll do a 3.5 hour ride. Then that evening I'm going to a BT gathering at some house...around 5:00 PM.

[Running Mommy]

I'll be at the sat am swim as well. So we can meet up then.
I'm going to be at all three swims. I'd like to get breakfast at US egg or chompies at some point. It's kind of a pre race ritual. ha ha ha
There is a kids fun run sat am. running son always does that. So we'll be there for sure.
Refresh my mush mind again... when are you coming to town?

[KSH]

I'll be at the sat am swim as well. So we can meet up then.
I'm going to be at all three swims. I'd like to get breakfast at US egg or chompies at some point. It's kind of a pre race ritual. ha ha ha
There is a kids fun run sat am. running son always does that. So we'll be there for sure.
Refresh my mush mind again... when are you coming to town?

Ah. Got it.

I'm coming to town on Friday, around 1:00 PM. Leaving Monday around 11:00 AM.

[Running Mommy]

cool beans!
Any plans Friday night?
We are going to the pre race dinner, so I'll be in Tempe. We usually mill around after dinner.
I'm REAALLLLYY starting to get stoked for this race. I just hope I can do it.
OY

[Tri Girl]

Very cool moment, Denise! Pretty neat that you're a celebrity to him. Who knew?
I'm getting so excited for you, too!!! You're going to have a great race, and you'll be racing with some of your fans. Too cool!


So people come to the race so far in advance? Wow! I'll be coming in 2 days before, and leaving about 6 hours after I finish. I only wish I could come for longer and enjoy some of that amazing AZ hospitality.

[Running Mommy]

Hey TG-
Yeah, lot's of people come in the week before to get acclimated to the desert climate.
Adrian- my royal british army friend- is in from Virginia. I guess he's on loan to the US army.
Do keep in mind that you need to register by Friday. They have no day before registration, so give yourself plenty of time.
Also a bummer that you have to leave so early after the race. You'll miss the post race banquet and awards. Thats always so fun. They also have your pictures ready for you the day after the race as well.

eeegads it's getting close now! I have this constant nervous excited feeling about myself right now. Can't wait for it to be here!

[Wahine]

Denise - I haven't had much time to post lately but I wanted to let you know that I've been keeping up with your threads and sending out good vibes for you in a steady flow. I love hearing your stories and I'm very excited for you.

Happy tapering!!

[Tri Girl]

That nervous/exciting feeling is just your body telling you it's ready to GO! I'm getting so excited for you!!!!!

Do keep in mind that you need to register by Friday. They have no day before registration, so give yourself plenty of time.

Not like you need to answer my silly questions, but I'm gonna ask anyway. I have to register when I get there? I've never done a "real" M-Dot race, so I don't know the procedures. I better go read the athlete guide online right now. I'll be in Thursday late night, so I'll be there all day Friday. And I know- I'm bummed I have to leave so early. I have to be back home to teach on Tuesday morning. If I miss Tuesday (the day before Thanksgiving break), they'll charge me $150 for each day that I'm taking off (which would be $600). Yikes!

[Running Mommy]

TG-
Yes, you have to register. They have you fill out a couple of forms- YIPES- get on the scale- and then they give you the all important sparkly wristband. They also go over your packet and stickers. If you are getting in Thursday night you'll be fine. I actually plan to voly for your race. I want to be a catcher at the midnight hour, but I'll prolly wear MANY hats that day.

[knapplaura]

Denise,

How cool! That British army dude is probably in killer shape, too! I have worked with a few British officers in my career, and they only send the top 1% over on exchanges.

I am getting excited too, and finally startign to feel better. On Thursday I took a PT test, and felt so awful! I struggled to do 50 push-ups (though i did swim hard the day before) and I ran over a minute slower than in September for the 2 mile!

I had to take a nap after class before i went to swim practice! That scared me bad! But Friday and today am feeling SOOO much better!

see ya soon,
Laura