T-20

20 days and counting. Derek surprised me with a trip to Tahoe for my 30th birthday with friends Mike, Susan, Kristy and Alberto. Derek, Mike and I rode around the lake today for a gorgeous 72 mile excursion. The weather was perfect, and I was able to keep a faster pace than I have been (15.4 mph) on other long hilly rides. The altitude definitely had me a bit short of breath and naseaus for the first 15 mi., but I was able to slowly take in some of my new favorite Ironman food- Wheat Thins - and slowly settled in. Mike and Derek cruised ahead of me for most of the day, but stopped to check in every now and then. Here are photos from our rest atop (almost) Emerald Bay.

Shortly after this, we came up upon a solo cyclist who asked if he could ride with us. Of course we welcomed him, until we found out that he was two days away from the National Championships with the US Cycling Team. Such a little thing he was! MAYBE 110. Even I was able to pass him on the downhills . . . but man, did he fly on the uphills.

With the bike ride done, we will relax in the lake, play games and celebrate until Tuesday when it's time to hit the road again.