Hello Everybody,

Greetings from Northern California, Santa Rosa to be exact, as I prepare to head for "The Big Black Rock" as we decided to call it last year. To give you a little background, I am not participating in this year's Hawaii Ironman but will absorb it from the viewpoint of fan, coach, observer, race director, and dare I say writer? For 2003 I had no plans of long course racing and ended up doing almost no racing as I moved from Fayetteville AR to Santa Rosa CA to work for the Vineman Triathlons. It's been a wonderful transition and it will be a treat to arrive in Kona in a different role.

I thought it appropriate to write a note before I left because it seems incredibly different to be traveling to Kona without some of the typical emotions and stress. Packing for the trip this year is simple; shorts, t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, running shorts & shoes, socks, underwear, goggles & cap, and some cycling stuff … BUT NO BIKE CASE! I actually rented a bike so I can go ride up in the hills above Kona. The anxiety that comes with traveling to this race, making sure your equipment is right, your nutrition is packed, having all your race clothing (unlike Don at Brazil last year), and of course the race itself, doesn't exist for me this year. The only thing I'm worried about is getting to my flight on time, direct from San Francisco to Kona in five hours!

	“	The only thing I'm worried about is getting to my flight on time, direct to San Francisco to Kona in five hours!”
		— Dave LaTourette

In reality I'll be there to do some work for Vineman, learn a lot about the race (and sport) from the outside looking in, support one of my athletes (and a couple friends that are racing), and of course write some potentially interesting material for www.donfink.com and www.vineman.com.

Last year when racing it was easy to write, everything came straight from the heart and had a lot of emotion. I don't know what to expect from myself this year but am sure I'll manage. I'm glad Steve is writing form a participating athlete's standpoint and quite sure I'll find an alternative way to see the festivities. I'll check back after arrival on Tuesday to let you know how life on "the Big Black Rock" is.

Cheers,
Dave