Road trip to Louisville would you presume?
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| Bunnies and Good & Plenty - check! |
Planned to go over halfway
To make the drive shorter the next day
Made good time to Charleston W-V
Found the hotel quickly too, by the way
Unloaded the bikes then found some dinner
High calorie meal followed by a shopping spree is a winner!
Next morning they were off to finish the drive
Excited to get to the final destination? No jive!
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| Welcome to Louisville! |
Rolled into town just after noon
An early check in? Yes! They were over the moon
Unloaded the entire car but didn’t stay put
Off to packet pick they did hoof!
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| Belle of Louisville along the river walk! |
Exciting to hit the athlete village while it was still somewhat peaceful
Got the coveted wrist band and Ironman backpack, if you will
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| Entering the Ironman Village is always so exciting! |
Let's visit the official Ironman store, y'all!
Load up on some goodies then sign the race wall!
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| Team Rabbit, represent! |
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| THE Wall! |
Next connected with Morgan and Leslie
Time for the bike course preview you see
It was good to get a look at the hills
One or two might have looked like a pill!
For dinner that night they checked out the Old Spaghetti Factory
Three courses followed by dessert? Sounds yummy!
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| They got to eat in the trolly car! (Which is in the middle of the restaurant!) |
Friday morning, PBun headed up to the hotel gym
A bike-run brick was on tap for the win.
After breakfast it was run course preview time
Load back up in the car for another ride!
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| At the athlete briefing! |
Quick trip to the Village to check out a few things again
And meet up with Susan Haag - the super Ironman
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| Susan, second from the left, has now completed 114 Ironman races! |
After that it was time to meet up with their cheer friends
And of course the fun never ends
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On Friday STUR, BLUR, and Mike boarded a plane -
A weekend of cheering for Team Rabbit at IMLou-they can't complain!
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| Here comes the cheer crew! |
Immediately found their rabbits and had lunch on Fourth Street-
Saw the Ironman finish line - sweet!!
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| Fourth Street Live is pretty awesome! |
After checking in they checked out the gym...
The chances of them working out were pretty slim.
The home of Bourbon wouldn't go to waste -
Went to the top of the hotel for a taste!
Old Fashioneds for two?
Don't mind if we do!!
Next up they all had dinner at Buck's -
Live music, great company, and good food never sucks!
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| The pianist was awesome, but did not know Dancing Queen... |
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| Great company! |
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| The table setting was so cool! |
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Saturday morning the racers all gathered in the Galt House lobby
To walk to the practice swim - t'was gonna be chilly!
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| It was also a little windy! |
The swim got started a smidge late
Was that a sign of Sunday's race day fate?
They got the ok to get in the water
Swim to the third orange buoy - no problem!
PBun however barely made it past number 2
That current was hard to swim against it's true!
Floated back to the start in no time at all
But don't go past the swim exit, y'all!
Back at the room time to warm up, pack transition bags and other race prep stuff
Need to drop off them with the bikes and do a race day walk through sure enough!
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| Racked and ready! |
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Saturday morning started with a run -
The walking bridge to Indiana sure was fun.
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| Bridge selfie! |
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| Pedestrian bridges rock! |
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| It's a great day for a run! |
On the way they saw their friends just from a chilly dip -
Louisville in October - can you feel the nip?
Hung out with the crew to drop off the bikes
Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch which everyone likes!
The two cheer rabbits hopped on over to the Ironman store-
Some cool merchandise they did score.
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Before they knew it, time to eat again-
They would be ordering pizza IN!!
However unfortunately the food never came-
The high volume of people is surely to blame.
Later in the evening the group socialized
And an impromptu ukulele jam session? Ha – no surprise!
STUR and BLUR ended up at Chipotle for their meal -
Just a short walk from the hotel, what a deal!
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Next morning STUR and BLUR were up with the birds-
There's a little Ironman race going on- have you heard?
These rabbits unfortunately missed their athletes before the race-
Thus began the all-day rabbit chase!
Soon it was time to line up at the swim OUT-
They did see PBun and gave her a shout!!
Missed the rest of the swimmers so moved onto the bus line
So nice to be dry and warm for a change!
Found some hot chocolate to drink-
Their hands were so frozen - ya think?
Watched a few of the cyclist then got some lunch-
The Red Pepper Cafe would be yummy- they had a hunch.
The DJ was out there spinning some tunes-
They hoped to see their rabbits passing by very soon!
Saw all three rabbits cycling by in the mist -
It's cold and rainy - you get the gist!
Took the bus back to Louisville town -
And back in their room for a rest they could be found!
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Race morning arrived, rainy and dark
Some rabbits and friends set out on a lark
They were going to toe the line at Ironman Louisville
Surely the day would be a thrill?!
There was much to be done upon arriving at transition
Bike details and nutrition was the crew’s mission
They then began the long trek to the swim start queue
It was nice to have a group and some bunny crew!
KBun and Jeff stopped at the first location
The Beast and PBun continued up to their station
Along with Morgan and Leslie and Mike
Nice to have company while waiting if you like
Did not quite hear all of My Old Kentucky Home
The WLKY news chopper action above had a bit of a loud drone
Next thing you know, the swim announcement came
Shortened course and delayed start - the current was to blame!
Finally it was time to shuffle to the dock
A little chilly on the bare feet, what a crock!
Soon it was time for the Call to Post
PBun admits she almost liked this the most!
The Beast and Morgan were up ahead in line
Before she knew it, PBun jumped in to the river, it was fine!
The swim was seriously crazy-fast
PBun nearly overshot the exit but did not have to back track!
The changing tents were hectic as always
Volunteers happy to help get the athletes who might be in a daze
Next it is off to the bike
Just 112 miles of fun, if you like!
Seems like it will continue to be a wet day
But what are you going to do? Just pedal away!
PBun was passed at the start by Trixie's sister
Didn't know if the rider was a misses or a mister!
The course starts out mostly flat
It’s a lollipop loop, how about that?
Once you get going it is mostly rollers
But Grandma’s Hill? She’s a mother!
PBun was looking forward to the Lagrange viewing area
Hoping to get a glimpse of STUR and BLUR as she biked through
Yes – up ahead, PBun spotted some bunny ears
Shouts outs from her bunny crew, never fear!
Just past here she felt an odd sensation and decided she needed to check things out
Around mile 33 stopped on Ballard School Road without a doubt
Oh dear! She had a flat –
Rear wheel on a tubular tire, natch!
Well, she finally had a chance to try her fix-a-flat stuff
Would it hold up? She would find out soon enough!
After a short time she got going again
Feeling strong, let’s do this thing!
PBun was excited to see the Deathly Hallows symbol painted on the road...
She is a big Harry Potter fan in case you didn't know!
Quick stop at Special Needs then off she flew
Second time going around the loop and again saw her bunny crew
But wait - what’s this? Another odd sensation!
Looks like the flat is back – well, son of a gun!
PBun though her day was over but someone called tech support
After a while she had a borrowed wheel and hoped that she would not come up short!
Off she went on down the road, about nine more miles or so
Downhill and took a turn then had a blowout. Oh no!
Happened to occur by a safety tent
Another call to tech support? Please have them sent!
Here she saw Jeff then KBun whiz on by
Was able to let KBun know about her ride
--
STUR and BLUR would next post up back in transition-
The Beast was so fast - she's the one they'd be missing…
As they waited around-saw Jeff starting on mile one-
He was in for 26.2 miles of fun!
And what's this they see?!!
A pair of bunny ears - whee!
It's KBun don't you know?
She's also ready for the 26.2 mile show!
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PBun needed a new tire and tube
Seems she’d picked up a metal shaving. Who knew?
She thought she probably had lost too much time…
But finished her ride anyway – it’s not a crime!
After turning in her chip and gathering her bags
Caught up with the bunny crew STUR and BLUR for hugs
They were going to get the bikes and meet her in a little while
Then hang out before going to cheer on the others to finish with big smiles!
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STUR then spotted their bunny friend PBun -
She had a tough day and wasn't going to run.
But the Sherpas had a very big task to do:
Get three bikes out of transition for their crew
PBun helped them a bit with their task-
In her monumental effort that day they all would bask!
Time to go see the finish line hop-
Such a party on Fourth Street Live - would it ever stop?
Wouldn't be long until they saw the Beast
She finished looking strong - SA-WEET!!!
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| The Beast is a beast! |
Then STUR really had to hold back the tears -
Especially when she spotted those bright pink ears!
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| KBun kicked @$$! |
Bike crash be damned KBun got the thing done-
Team Rabbit cheered so loud just like she'd won!
Both she and the Beast persevered through a challenge or two-
So many bad ass points they did accrue!
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| Way to go KBun and Jeff! |
While waiting for KBun at the food tent
Saw something nutty - and must vent:
Three rabbits saw an Ironman finisher having a smoke
It really happened - it is not a joke!
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| The Rabbits couldn't believe their eyes! |
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Once upon a time three rabbits and Jeff stood before you -
All on the eve of Ironman Lou...
It's a guarantee they have a few butterflies-
But with their training and experience they are very wise.
They will race the whole day feeling extraordinarily grateful-
Powering through the parts that are painful.
The medal and finish line will be the reward
That's what all the swim, bike, run is working toward
Know that each one of you is determined and strong-
Remember that as you're humming along!
And in those moments that maybe aren't so fun-
Embrace that suck and know you'll get it done
Your Sherpas are proud of you for every stroke, pedal and step-
All along the way you'll have more pep!
STUR and BLUR are so proud of their Rabbit friends-
We will see you through to the very end!
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