NYC Triathlon Prep - Part II

Ok people, this is what you have been asking for. Well, maybe not those in blogland who are about as interested in this race as heat rash on a hot summer day. You, you friends and family, yeah, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, who wanted my whereabouts on race day.

I have to premise this by letting you know how amusing this is to me. I don't mean to belittle your naivete, and it isn't as bad as trying to find a fart in a sandstorm, but it isn't science and you might have to wait.....and wait.....for me. So based on what I know about my abilities, barring any unforeseen circumstances, adding a bit of padding to the time and hoping I am not being overly optimistic, or exceedingly pessimistic, I give you my itinerary, with map/chart for those of you who are more right brained like myself:

6:38 AM Swim start (green -not fluorescent green - swim cap) @ 98th St. Hudson River
7:10 AM Swim Exit (I am truly hoping I am padding this time!)
7:20 AM Leave T1 for Bike (Transition area YELLOW - again padding)
**You will most probably not really see that much of the bike except around 79th Street on/off ramp as it is on the highway and I am not sure they will be letting spectators on there.
9:10 AM Finish bike enter T2 (transition for the run)
9:20 AM leave T2 for Run onto West 72nd street headed towards Central Park

10:25 AM cross finish line inside Central Park - JUST EAST OF SHEEP MEADOW (let's hope it is sooner than this!)

I have also included these lovely interactive maps as promised for each discipline of the race:

SWIM


BIKE


RUN

I suggest you also go back to Part I and check out some of the links that will show you where there are good spectator spots. My suggestion is this: If you don't want to to get up early, cuz who does, to see the swim, watch somewhere along 72nd between Riverside Park and Central Park. You can always then trek into Central Park and watch the finish line while the runners wind their way around the Park.

SOME IMPORTANT BUSINESS

This is going to sound like some lame academy awards speech, but bear with me. I need to thank some folks for helping to get me where I am (for crying out loud, you'd think I was doing an ironman or something), and that was no easy feat! First and foremost, my sitter, who stayed late two nights a week to watch my son so I could go to my group runs and swims. My husband for sleeping on the couch when I had an early wake up call (he snores), helping watch out for Baby Toots when I was "on duty" and for schlepping (sniff). Laurie, who has been my biggest fan through all of this and even stepped into some shit with me, thanks bud! My sis and bro-in-law for flying out from CA to support me and watch the little man. My parents, mom for arranging the 50/50 drawing and words of support from both. My network of friends both near and far who have been of constant encouragement. My fellow bloggers who read my blathering and still managed to stay long enough to post a comment and whose blogs continue to inspire and make me laugh. A special shout out to fellow blogger Sherry, who has been with me almost from the beginning and was my inspiration for my own blog madness. Triathlete pro extraordinaire, Bree Wee, who was kind enough to share her recovery balls recipe that I will have with me on race day!

I also can't end this post without a special thanks to Rosaria Usini, who let me run this race in her honor for Team In Training. And lastly, my coaches from TriLife: Head Coach Scott Willett, who makes it all seem so easy, Jay Borok for taking so much time to get me fitted on my bike properly (and both of them for having such a great sense of humor!), Mike Galvan, George Vafiades, Tamsyn Bulmer and Michelle who's last name I don't know, but who was at every group swim to lend encouragement and advice. Without these folks lending their time and wisdom I shudder to think where I might (not) be. "Thank you. You like me, you really, really like me"..sniff..(couldn't resist the Sally Field effect).

I'm still working on making my jersey "stand out" like a nudist at a church picnic, so check back and I'll have a pic later this week.