Let the Dreams Begin

I guess that title could mean a multitude of things...but it truly means, let the dreams begin!!! Saturday night I had a dream. I have a feeling it was the first amongst many that are to come in the next 11 days.

My dream was that I started the race, and was met by "Tim the Swim Guy" at the beach. (Tim's a great guy, and one of FAVORITE English men. TOTALLY Funny!) For those of you that know Ironman, it's never a good sign when the Director of one of the three events and the Race Director meet you at a timing mat. It means "I'm sorry, but your race is over... turn in your timing-chip. There is always next year."

Well, in my dream, I get out of the water and there is Tim, Justin (Tim's buddy and VERY cute!), and Ben, the Florida Race Director. I looked at the timing clock and saw that I had swam 2.4 miles in 1hour 34 minutes. So, I was confused. It was at that moment, Tim told me that I didn't tag the 3rd buoy and I had to hand over my chip. I was DQed. I was SHOCKED! Touch the 3rd buoy? Are you serious?? When has that ever been a part of the race?? He informed me that it was written in the Athlete Race Info. packet and I should have read it.

Let me tell you, I spent most of the day yesterday organizing and reading my Florida Ironman binder. It is so beautiful with dividers (Travel info, Course Maps, RULES, etc.), Plastic Covers for the maps, Information on vendors...and HIGHLIGHTED IMPORTANT race information and rules!!! I also spent a large majority of my day researching the Internet for peoples race experience in Florida, studying the tide charts and several weather web-sites.

Last night's dream came thank you to my "MAC-daddy". He keeps on putting it in my head that the Volunteers are not what they are here in CDA. (Well, of course not, I AM the Volunteer Director here!!) So last night I had a dream that I was on the Run (made it through the swim!), and there weren't any Aid Stations. I wasn't really hungry, and was feeling great, but Mac and Corey (Corey will be helping Mac with the run course in Florida) caught up to me an made me sit down for a Meal with them. I kept telling them I had to go...there was a cut-off I had to make. But both of them were more concerned about me eating enough and getting in my protein!! (I think this may have come from my BF-Jenn, who is ALWAYS worried about me eating.)

So, there they are. Two very important dreams. What have I learned???
1. Make sure to read, then re-read the Athlete's Rules put out by NAS for Florida. (Rules do change!)
2. Make sure I bring food on the run...and run fast so I can stop and have dinner with Corey and Mac if I need to!