Notes from the field

First let me say I usually feel pretty confident about walking into a room and feeling like I am in better shape than those around me. Not this afternoon. The AZ IM village was not packed it had a good vibe going. Lots of people bringing in their unbelievably tricked out bikes for check in. I saw some things I never knew you could do to or buy for a bike. Of course everyone was wearing their nascar inspired jersey tops. I had caught a glimpse of this throughout the day as the turn around point on the laps is just a 100 yards from my parking spot, so lots of riders where cycling past my area.

A large daytime JumboTron played the 2004 Kona Ironman for people to watch while they took a break from all the booths and the heat. It ninety-fricken-five degrees outside with 6% humidity for cryin' out loud!

Other than registration areas, where I wistfully thought about, but humbly declined entering- thinking it not befitting to enter an area that I am not qualifed to enter, maybe another year, I partook of many venders. Gatorade was sampling their new endurance drink which I think tastes great. I tried the new lemonade and it was so-so. I use the Recovery powder constantly which is in the same line as the endurance drink, its great stuff.

Two large tents covered the goodie areas. I picked up a new ChampionChip Strap for my timing chip, a new water bottle which I have a bad habit of collecting, but it was only $2.99 and a Ironman logo dryfit hat. I also picked up a new pair of DeFeet Air-E-Ator socks commemorating the race. I would have loved to have bought a shirt but couldn't find any that would signify the race but not racing. I don't like to wear shirts from races I didn't do.

Side note: I think DeFeet Air-E-Ators are great socks. The only pair I have found to be better are Nike Dri-Fits, but both run between $8-10 a pair. I was at Walmart last weekend and found that Starter sells the exact same sock as the Nike but at a price of 2 for $3.50. While researching a hyperlink for this sock, I found that Nike bought Starter Brand to sell Nike clothes at a non-swoosh bargain rate at Walmarts. Good to know.

Cervelo had a side area of about 1,000 feet selling their bikes and parts and doing quick tune ups. I heard that they cut a deal with Ironman to be their bike sponsor. I saw the suped up brother to the BP I used for the Scottsdale Triathlon last month, obviously on loan from Tribe MultiSport for their booth. It was on its way to Ralphs Triathlon the same weekend so I was unable to use it.

One of those fancy smancy swim tubs was on display. Wow. I watched a dozen or so athletes slip in and swim in place for several strokes. You can adjust the water flow based on your strength level. I see these in magazines going for about twenty grand.

The transition area is massive, at least a full football field. It is just feet from the water exit. The finish area in the photo below is a few hundred yards away from that. There are some bleachers but could not hold more than three hundred people.

I am going to go down for the start and beginning of the bike portion. As it stands Rett, aka White Salamander and I are going to hook up and mountain bike down to the village from my office for the start. We both should be able to get some great pictures and posts up the same day. Right now the forecast is for mid-80's but with 20mph wind. I pray that the wind comes after the swim.