Going to Kona to cheer on KBun - is that wrong?
Three Rabbits met up at DCA gate 18 -
Ultimate destination is Hawaii - don't be green!
Their journey took them over to the Big Island
Cheering and then vacay was their mission!
They came in from different places over a couple of days...
And along the actual #IMWC run course was where they stayed
Of course you knew that bunnies were in da house --
Maddie and Bettie are hanging out!
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| Sophie would join later that week! |
Now STEB wants a new vehicle so she states!
Tuesday night they met up with their KBun
For a late dinner at Splasher's - it was fun
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| Swimming on the IMWC course? Hell yeah! |
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| Swim buddies! |
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| KBun after trying out some new goggles! |
Wednesday three rabbits got to swim on the actual swim course
Then shopping at the IM store...there was no remorse!
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| Turtle!! |
Got to see sea turtles frolicking in the surf
These rabbits were getting used to their new turf!
Had to get a picture of the official Ironman start sign
Which also happens to designate the finish line!
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| The ACTUAL swim start and run finish!! |
Thursday morning was the Underpants Run for charity -
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| There were ALL KINDS of underpants at the Underpants Run! |
Then STEB held down the fort for STUR and the Beast to swim long you see
They swam way out and were they only ones out that far
They even saw a dolphin pod down on the ocean floor!
Wandered around the athlete village
Was it getting exciting? Just a smidge!
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| The Ironman Village is always exciting!! |
Afterwards they helped KBun change to her new hotel
And got a parking pass for the next five days which was swell!
Thursday also meant two more rabbits were to arrive:
RBug at 2pm then CBun around 9!
They got RBug settled then went out for some food -
There might have been a Mai Tai - they were all in a good mood!
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| Yay for Mai Tais! |
Next up: it was time to meet CBun's jet
Was the entire cheer party then present and accounted for? You bet!
Friday morning all the Rabbits once again hit the swim course -
This time the ocean had a little more force!!
RBug even dipped in her toe and swam out a bit...
And on the World Championship course - that's legit!
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| All cheer rabbits present and accounted for! |
Then the five rabbits took a tour out to Hawi -
But turns out they had to turn around early -
Preparations needed to be made for Pam's pre-race dinner -
Made it out of the crazy Safeway unscathed - winner!
After chicken, pasta, and a lots of laughs all around -
Then early to bed is where all the Rabbits would be found.
But not before the rabbits got a little creative
Had to make signs for all the cheers they would give!
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| Making signs is the most fun! |
Saturday brought a 3-something wake up call -
It's the 2017 Ironman World Championship y'all!
As it was finally time for KBun's big race
The rest of Team Rabbit was in cheer mode in this case
Met up with KBun just past 4:30
That is AM - and it was early
Picked up KBun at the Holiday Inn Express -
She looked calm and ready - all the Rabbits must confess!
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| Pam the KBun is ready! |
It was here that a new "Pamism" was born -
In reference to all the lubricants she would adorn:
"The older you gets the more of these you need!"
All the Vaseline, body glide, and balms - indeed!
Walked on down to the start location
An epic day was in the making
So cool to see KBun go though body marking for the biggest race ever -
The day would be an even bigger endeavor!
There might have been some happy tears shed
As the rabbits hugged their KBun friend
After they had bid her farewell
Snagged some space along the seawall - swell
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| Team Rabbit with a new friend! |
Counted down the minutes until their friend would go
But first the pros would start the Kona show!
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| Water is looking calm! |
Finally the age group women were ready...
A 7:20 cannon - and Pam was swimming steady
The rabbits then decided to grab a bite to eat
Quinn's along the bike out couldn't be beat
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| Quinn's was yummy and fast! |
Things seemed to be timed perfectly
Once they were done they saw KBun exit the swim finish - woo wee!!!
She had a great swim then made great time in T1
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| And she's off! |
She was rolling on the bike, gonna get it done!!
Now the cheer team had some time to kill -
A little recharge and rest with Lionel at HIE if you will.
Room 151 was the place to be
It was cool and they could even watch MLB
After a while they headed out to check on the situation
What was the leading pro's location?
Well the rabbits arrived at the hot corner
Male pros were off the bike and running thorough mile one in a blur!
Next up came the pro ladies
Then some lunch if you please!
But first walking around who do you think some rabbits spotted walking?
Only Coach Taryn from when she was coaching at Chinquapin!
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| Randomly ran into Coach Taryn - even through they knew she was in town! |
The Island Ono Loa Grill was where they landed
This turned out to be a great thing, understand?
The owner Chris was full of great island deets
Team Rabbit thought this couldn't be beat!
After eating the 8th best burger in the U.S.
Did they go back to HIE for some more R&R? Yes!
Also brought some lunch to Lionel
He was their saving grace in the HIE hotel!
Once again headed out to check on the athletes at the hot corner station
Got to see pros and age groupers coming through the to the finish - amen!
Next it was time to monitor the bike in
They were waiting for their KBun!
Soon they spotted her neon green helmet
She was coming down the hill, hauling butt!!
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| Flying into T2! |
Out of T2 and time for the marathon -
KBun was certainly glad cycling time was gone!
Team Rabbit stayed about in the same spot -
Till they saw her starting the run - giving it all she's got!
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| And now she's off on the run! |
The Rabbits then hauled @$$ over to about the one mile mark -
They knew very soon it would be getting dark.
Next chance to see her was around mile ten
They couldn't wait to see her again!
Some Rabbits went to pick up her bike while others stayed back -
Wandering up the street for perhaps a beer or a snack.
Soon out of the darkness - STUR saw her friend-
A little time running with her she would spend.
Sent her out toward the Natural Energy Lab -
Soon the team went over to the finish line - a good spot they would grab.
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| Quite the vibe at the finish line! |
They were enjoying the finish line festivities
Maybe even acquired some goodies for free!
A water bottle, a swim cap, and two visors was the final tally
Spectating has its rewards apparently!
The rabbits kept checking the tracking for their friend
And at mile 19.2 it stalled - what happened?
Soon STUR received a text from KBun's sister
Seems the officials pulled KBun from the course - what a pisser!!
At the Marriott hotel they all reconvened
Some food and a massage is what KBun needed
Turns out she had missed the cutoff by a tiny little smidge
But KBun took it graciously in stride, she really did
So the rabbits headed back to the finish line melee
They were sad but decided to watch the final racers and ceremony
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| The IMWC Finish was an amazing experience.... |
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| The last minute was crazy! |
Afterwards they gathered up their bunny friend
They were proud that she stuck it out till the bitter end
And even though her race got cut short
KBun is more than a winner in their hearts!!
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