One down......15 to go!

Well, its Saturday night and we are back in San Diego...having just filled our faces with well deserved sushi after a long day in Oceanside.

Yesterday, we went for a ride to check out the bikes after unpacking them. All went well until we were climbing the hill just outside of transition when the odd sound I had been getting from my ride finaly came to a climax. My chain snapped in two while we were climbing!!! Nothing like a good chunk of roadrash to start the year.
We went to the local bike shop for a quick repair, and back to the hill to ride it again....to shake away any of the bad vibes I would feel on race day.
We went to get registered and all went well with no hiccups. Registration was right on the beach....it was pretty neat to feel the breeze and see the surfers out in the water.
After a nice pre-race meal, it was lights out for the night.

5am, the alarms go off and its time to pack the car (we were checking out, and there was NO allowance for late check outs). We rode to the start line and went to our respective zone areas to set up our spots.
Brian was first in the frigid water....followed by Heather 21 min later. We both found it COLD and past the barriers, it was quite wavy.
Heather reeled Brian in with 8 km to go on the bike. We BOTH looked at each other in shock when we reminised about the MONSTER hills we just rode. Honestly, in all my years riding, I have never ridden hills as long and as steep as these!!!!
We rode in together and left transition as a team....which I thought was awesome. Heather quickly picked up the pace and off she went. She finished her run strong and ran a smart 1/2 Marathon. I was happy with my run......enjoying the sights and the sounds, taking it ALL in.
Heather was kind enough to sign us up for massages....which did wonders.
Back at the hotel parking lot, we packed the bags and drove down the road to San Diego for the night, as we leave back home in the AM.

Our story is getting out there.....we sat in the massage tent and spoke to a guy from Calgary....who said, out of the blue...."HEY....I heard about you guys!!!". I also had the opportunity to meet Paula Newby-Fraser (8 time IM Champion).......she thought we were nuts. I am sure we will see her again.....she is a broadcaster for IMLive.

All in all, we are STOKED about race number one. The word is spreading....and thats why we are here.!!!!
We head back to Ottawa tomorrow AM........see y'all there!!

Brian