Danskin Packet Pick-Up Day!!!!

[KnottedYet]

Woooo-hoooo! I'm higher than a kite!

And what's the first thing I do when I get home from Packet Pick-Up? Do I call my mom and tell her my number? Do I take a nap? Do I eat some dinner? Do I repack my transition bag? Do I go to the bathroom? (well, yes, I did do THAT)

No! I jump on the computer and run to TE!

Hi, everyone!!!

The day started at 7:30 with a Team Survivor breakfast. Maybe 80 women (of 400 survivors competing). We got a little breakfast and listened to Sally Edwards and other VIP's, and then each and every one of us had to tell a little of our story. Some cried hearing them, some cried telling them. Nobody was shy, which was very cool. We each got our white Team Survivor tank tops and a little lapel pin.

9:30 we went to packet-pickup. We cut to the head of the line (at the time I didn't know why) and had some very pissed off women behind us. One of the Team was asked "How do I get to cut?" and she answered "Get cancer." Another one got mad at me, and I said "Sorry, it's Team Survivor." (I still didn't know why)

We got our numbers and packets and chips and then went into the expo part. Goodie bags! I really didn't spend much time in the expo, but I got a few goodies.

Then the crowd sat down to listen to Sally Edwards speak. She's good. It was fun and funny and she got the crowd really enthusiastic about racing. She talked about how some of the funds go to cancer research, and THEN she called Team Survivor up to the stage! (that's why we cut in line, we needed to get through so we could go up on stage)

What a strange and beautiful experience! We're standing up there with our arms around eachother, some crying, all grinning ear to ear. We look out into the crowd, and a lot of the women in the crowd were crying. They're all clapping and hollering for us. It was surrreal. I was thinking, "Geez, why are they cheering? I haven't done anything!" One of the Team gave a little bit of her story, and then we all trooped back to our seats. Honestly, I don't remember what Sally Edwards said while we were up there. I was just going nuts and it was all a blur.

I kinda hoped the women who got mad at us, especially the ones who yelled at us, saw us up there and realized why we cut in line.

Later I had Sally sign the back of my white tank top, then my friend and i got out of there to go rack our bikes. Racking up went fine, kept running into Team-mates, everyone was happy.

HUGE thanks to all the volunteers who make the Danskin work!

Now I gotta eat something and get ready for tomorrow. I'm in one of the first 4 waves, so I start around 7:00.

PS: Colby, I'll be in a white tank top instead of a purple t-shirt. On my pink back sign I'll write "KnottedYet", if I can fit it on under my "In Memory" names.

[Running Mommy]

Oh knotted I have to KNOW you are excited!!!
Go get em girl!!
You know I had cervical cancer in 01, and I remember the meds, and the depression, and everything I had to go through. The multiple surgeries.. UGH! It was just not so fun.
Lucky for me the doctors knew I would be fine, so it wasn't a huge worry for me. It was just going through the drug regime, and the CONSTANT pap smears over the next few years!! UGH!!
I think the meds were the worst tho. They made me sick, lethargic, and super depressed. And believe it or not I got FAT!!! I think it was the depression??
But through it all I kept running. The NYCM in 02 was a 7.5 hour affair. It was AWFUL!! But I made it. I weighed about 220 lbs. And then my first tri was in 03. I weighed 200 lbs, but I did it, and I remember feeling so alive!!
I hope tomorrow you have that same feeling as you fly through the race with the wind at your back!
Cherish the day!
Have FUN! I'll be thinking about ya!
Denise

[Tri Girl]

WOW! I got teary just reading your story of packet pick up, the expo, and all the excitement/cheers/adulations in your honor! I'm SOOOOO very excited for you to complete the tri tomorrow! I'm wishing you the best of luck, the best of times, and the best of memories for this awesome event!!!!
Have fun out there, and kick a little tail in honor of all women, those who lost their battles, and especially you and all the survivors!!!!
Love and hugs

[divingbiker]

What an exciting time! Have a great day tomorrow. I know you'll let us know all the fun details.

[btchance]

Good luck tomorrow girls! Sounds like you are excited and ready to go. I'm expecting your awesome race report afterwards!

[Brina]

have a great race. I can't wait to hear all about it.

[Trek420]

Go Knotted! Kick that tris bu**!

[KSH]

How very exciting and cool!

You are going to do a great job! Have fun!

[KnottedYet]

It was so much fun! Anyone who wants to do a tri, but is fearful, do it anyway! I'm the biggest Nervous Nelly you ever met, and i had a blast! Do it! Do it!

(race report is in the Race Reports forum)

I'm exhausted now. (I was only tired a couple hours ago) Still gotta go look for my results.

[colby]

PS: Colby, I'll be in a white tank top instead of a purple t-shirt. On my pink back sign I'll write "KnottedYet", if I can fit it on under my "In Memory" names.

I missed you Knotted We got there around 7:30 Sunday but I didn't see you -- we should have been able to catch you coming out of the water and onto your bike, and then maybe even from your bike to the run depending on how early we got over there. Our transition area was RIGHT next to the swim finish/bike start (awesome location).

Next time, we will have to strategize a little better. I was in the Mixed Group but will be doing my age group next year to start earlier (waiting around for hours makes for sunburned shoulders!!) so we should be able to catch up. Or, I'll have to come over and do one of your rides so we know what to look for

I'm so proud of you for finishing! YAY! You're awesome.

(Off to read your and Lise's race reports and congratulate you both over there soon!)