Dear Hawaii Teammates

This coming weekend is Ironman Hawaii 70.3.  This is an event that the IronTeam has been training for since November.  If you don't already know by now I'm on the IronTeam, training for Vineman full in July, so I've been training right along side all of these fabulous people heading to Hawaii this week.  Late last summer, when I heard what the events for Ironteam would be this year I knew I wanted to join, because of Hawaii 70.3.  I was in.  Then, I was tag-teamed by some Ironteamers who had just finished Vineman Full and a coach, and voila, I changed my mind and decided I wanted to do Vineman instead.  Even though I'm not racing Hawaii, it was the catalyst to get me on the IronTeam.  So, yay Hawaii!

And now, my amazing teammates are getting ready to race Hawaii 70.3 this weekend, and I could not be more excited for all of them.  They are well trained and ready and are going to rock it.  The following is a note to them.

Dear Hawaii teammates,

Training along side of each and every one of you has been a privilege and an honor.  You are all so ready for this race.  Saturday is going to be an amazing day.

I wish, more than anything, that I could be there, on the course, cheering for you all, ringing a cowbell, and screaming my lungs out to encourage you.  But, alas that is not the case (I needed a new couch and it seemed a more appropriate way to spend the money - $1000 for a three day trip was not something I could justify).

Know this though, in my heart, I am there with you, cheering for you, all of us you leave behind are there in spirit.  We will be cheering for you, awaiting news of victory.

You have all worked so hard for the past 6 months, you've got this.  Enjoy your time in Hawaii, this is your day.  Smile and know that the months of hard work are about to pay off.  And, remember, you are doing this for something bigger than yourself, you are doing this for an important cause, and that is the most amazing part of all.

I am honored to call you my team mates, and more so, my friends.  You each inspire me, in different ways, every single day.  I could not imagine training with a more wonderful group of people.  You have all made the last 6+ months of training so much more incredible than I ever could have imagined it would be.  So, I thank you for that.

Have so much fun this week and weekend and know that if I could be there I would, in a heart beat (if I can find a way to Hawaii this week, trust me, I'll be there, but it's highly unlikely).

Listen closely while you're racing, you might hear us, all the way from LA, cheering for you.

To the coaches and cheer squad - there's plenty of cell phone service in Hawaii, I'm sure, so you best text and/or Facebook the stay behind crew with the progress of the day.  We will all be anxiously awaiting news.

I love you all, and I can't wait to hear about your week and race.  Now, stop reading this, go drink some water, and get ready to ROCK this race.  Go show Hawaii what the IronTeam is made of.  And, when you finish, celebrate like only the IronTeam can!

Love, hugs and EXTRA loud cheers all the way from LA!  See you all soon!

Pomaika'i!

Love,
Elisabeth, aka EWS, aka E, aka S