OCTOBER 11, 2004: Today started off pretty normal and ended pretty weird.

Woke up at 5 AM and did my usual routine of tea, and checking my e-mails.  Yup Tea!  Some of you might know that I am a HUGE coffee guy.  I love a good cup of coffee first thing in the morning.  Other than my new 42 inch plasma TV my favourite thing in my little home is my kick ass Saeco coffee machine.  It is one of those fully automated suckers.  You hit a button and it makes the most amazing Americano coffee.  In the past I would go off coffee on travel day to Kona which was yesterday.  Even then I would cheat a bit by drinking the odd cup of Decaf coffee.   One of the biggest thing Mark felt that I needed to do this year was cut coffee out three weeks from race day.  THREE WEEKS!  I haven't been off coffee for more than five days since I started drinking coffee 14 years ago to make it to early swim practice.  I managed to find this pretty good tasting tea that I have substituted for my coffee.  Anyway, I can't wait until race day morning for a good cup! 

I jumped into the ocean by the Pier and swam the course.  There were a ton of fish to see while swimming which always makes the swim enjoyable.  My shoulders felt really loose in the water which always means that I can swim fast.  I basically cruised on the way out with my new friend and then did a bunch of 30 hard strokes / 30 easy strokes on the way back.  It was pretty crowded in the water the last 400 M.  I won't be swimming there until Saturday.  I try to avoid that whole scene thing which happens at the Pier. 

Went back to the condo had breakfast and built up the bike.  I should note that this is the first time since 1996 that I trained on my race bike every ride.  Usually I only get on my race bike for one or two workouts prior to race day.  At Germany this year I had a ton of trouble getting use to my race bike set up; so, I didn't want that to happen at Kona.  I am so comfortable on this new Transition bike from Specialized.  Actually, I love all my Specialized gear.  They make some pretty cool products.  Plus, they actually listen when I have some suggestions on product.

We cruised out to Kawaihae in the rental then rode up to Hawi.  Saw LB out there on her new bike - looked pretty cool and she looks like she is ready.  I can always tell if Lori is going to rock on the bike by her form.  It looked really good - she is going to rock.  Good!  I really hope she does well.  Anyway, back to the ride.  This is the first time that I have rode up to Hawi with a tailwind!  A tailwind!  I have been coming here for 11 years and done a bunch of training camps here in the Spring and the fall - I have never had a tailwind up to Hawi.  Something is up.  Even on the ride down the wind was very light. Either the winds are saving themselves for race day or it is going to be a freaky fast bike this year.  My ride was 30 minutes faster than I usually ride to and from Hawi.  Race day is going to be interesting.  Towards the end of the ride we hooked up with a couple of fun guys from Ohio.  Cruised into the parking lot at Spencer Beach then off for a short t-run with a few surges to get the legs going. 

I am now back at the condo for an early Diner.

More tomorrow!

Pete