Less than 24 hours...

WOW is all I can say about last nights opening ceremony, I just wanted to cry! Our green and gold tracksuits stand out so beautifully and lots of cheers were being shouted for us. We landed up having to do a little run to catch up with the team in front of us and that really got the adrenalin going. There were two "army officers" dressed up with pink feathers hanging out their boots and bums and pretending to order us around and show us how to march - was hilarious! So amazing to stand on the big field amongst all the other athletes and see it all happening. And then the Kiwi guys did the Haka (shirts off) - oh my goodness, that was amazing - the whole field went quiet and all you could feel was the "boom boom boom" of the HAKA. The Australian team has 1000 members and the American and British are not too far behind either. It all just makes you realise how small fry our races are and that we are now up against the rest of the world. It's going to be an experience to remember...

We had great fun at the pasta party last night and the Aussies were trying very hard to get us to party... that's their way of tiring out their competition, but we did not fall for it.

Linda and I woke up bright and early and headed out along the "Spit" for a gentle ride with a couple of short sprints. Felt great!!! Thereafter straight in to our run shoes for a quick "fartlek" run - nice and strong. Looks like our swim is going to be a non wetsuit swim as water temp sitting above 22 degrees. Still quite chilly, but will only be allowed a wetsuit if it drops under 22 and not likely at this point. We did a little non wetsuit practice round at lunchtime and feels so much better - the wetsuit can be quite restricting. No wetsuit will be a great advantage for me!!!

Heading back to hotel shortly for a rest and feet up and then back to venue around 4 to rack our bikes where they will spend the night. Spag bolognaise for a carbo loading dinner and then early to bed - we need to leave the hotel @ 05h45 tomorrow morning - VERY EARLY START!!!!

I am ready and am going to do my best and try to enjoy it at the same time. So, when you are all still sleeping @ 11h23pm tonight, think of me diving in to 22 degree water and then roll over and go back to sleep. Hope to update you some time tomorrow..