Pre Race Day 3 - July 24

Up at 4am with Sealey who hasn't been able to keep food down all trip. At first we thought it was the trip but she's well travelled so that would be a new one. Then we thought it was all the grass she seemed to have eaten in Drummondville when Barry walked her behind the motel and I packed. Again, I will do a separate entry about this but suffice to say this has been a constant worry and on this morning increasingly so as there was blood and still grass in her stool and vomit and she had lost her appetite which up until now was fine.

It was hard to leave her to practice this morning but by the time I left at 6:30am her tummy seemed to have settled and she was even trying to engage me in silly play and asking for a  gentle belly rub. 

More athletes at swim this morning doing it - like me - approx when we will race to get a sense of the sun's position and conditions. Also all of the rope line was in place for the first time since arriving. 

I had a great swim. I did a lap of the course = 1.9k (well 2.12 :) 

I drove to the Town of Jay where I cycled the new out and back to Austable Forks. The length was to be 45 min max so I was able to add the steep initial climb towards  Wilmington - another stretch I really wanted to do as it seemed tough on the Computrainer but gave me no problem.

My impressions of the bike course remain as they were before arriving. No surprises which is terrific. The notorious "3 Bears" aka biggest climbs of the course located at the final 12k of the 90 & 180 won't be a picnic but I am confident I can do them. I am hopeful and wish for no headwind nor a thunderstorm torrential rain nor scorching sun on that stretch which maybe unavoidable - but I'm unlikely to get all 3?!?!!

A highlight of my morning was meeting "Bear" aka Denis who is a resident of Jay. A lovely interesting gentleman who was stationed in Stephenville, NF in the early 1960's. We had a nice chat before my ride and I look forward to hearing him cheer me and others on Sunday - hopefully during both laps! It is a joy to meet someone who lives in the community where you race. Bear gave me his email address and has promised to tell me how he got the name. 

Here's my newest friend - Bear 

Back to the hotel... 

Barry informs me Sealey vomited again about 1.5hrs before and it was all pinkish in colour - time to call the Vet. Fortunately  I knew where the Vet Hospital is as the bike and run route pass by it... I've passed it 5 times in 3 days.

Appointment at 2pm left me with enough time to go get my race kit at the venue... But haven't yet looked through the goodie bag.