Aloha Everybody,

I have to tell you, a five-hour flight from the west coast and not having to race is a lot easier than traveling across the country (and Pacific Ocean) followed up by race preparations. That being said it does have a very different feel arriving here today for the 25th Anniversary Ironman. (More on that feeling and my hunch for Saturday in another journal).

	“	One thing that seems different since my first trip here in 1995 is everybody seems so serious...the hard work is done and it's time to smile a bit while doing the final easy workouts.”
		— Dave LaTourette

It is apparent here in Kona that as much as the race has changed over the years it's amazing how it has stayed the same. One thing that seems different since my first trip here in 1995 is everybody seems SO serious. Don't get me wrong, I'm as serious as the next person when it's needed, but the hard work is done and it's time to smile a bit while doing the final easy workouts. This thought came to be as I rode the last few miles of my ride today with Amanda Gillam. Amanda is a first year pro, former age group World Champion and girlfriend/fiancé (?) to Ironman Couer D'Alene Champion Michael Lovato. She is here to support Michael in his race on Saturday. I'm going to say that these two may be the happiest triathlon couple I have seen. I can't claim to know them well, other than meeting them this year at the Half-Vineman and chatting with Amanda today, but they always have time for a smile and a few kind words. My point is, and lesson learned today, is that we should all smile a little more than we already do.

I'll check back next time with thoughts and some new observations from Wednesday. Tomorrow morning is breakfast with Don and the "team". That might make for some good writing! I'll leave you with this tid-bit; In 1995 Don and I (both first timers here) finished within 30 seconds of each other on Alii Drive but didn't know one another. Since then he has finished four or five more races here than me and also figured out how to go a lot faster…also something that has changed.

Until tomorrow … SMILE!

From the Sidelines,
Dave