Italy forces you to slow down. The heat transforms you, changing the daily rythms and introducing new ones. You soon learn to work with it rather than fight it. Better to siesta than find shelter from the mid-day sun.
Denise and I were up late last night watching opera in a Roman amphitheater so that meant that today was meant sleeping, eating, reading by the river, lengthy convos in sidewalk caves and partaking in siesta. Long forgotten is last weeks life of Swiss efficiency.
We are heading off to Venezia tomorrow and then to Bologna for the weekend. I will be as fat as a Bolognese ham by the time I leave Italy.

Leaving Zurich and many wonderful memories (and buckets of cash). Just getting on the train to Verona. Hmmm. I love Italian food.

Finished up at Ironman Switzerland this afternoon.  My finish time was 12:04 so certainly not a PR for me.  However it was a solid effort, especially considering the horrendous weather.  It rained for the entire swim and bike which turned the transition area into a huge mudfest.  It also made for some dangerous cycling during some of the steeper descents. 

So I am happy with the day and a whole lot sore.  No worries though as now it is time to begin the real vacation.

Tchuss

Nothing left to do but sleep for a few hours before the big race. I just got back from checking in my bike. My time slot was 8 pm which is very late for bike check in. I discovered that it was late since there was a short course triathlon underwat at the same venue. How bizarre to see a short course running in the evening.
The rain has began again but thankfully my bike is all tucked into a special bag that was provided. Very Swiss.
Had a great lunch of tapas with some friends that drove in from Austria for the day. So to enjoy a meal with long lost friends.

The weather has changed dramatically overnight. It is now cold and wet. Grim. Looks like it will stay this way all weekend. Not good conditions for racing.

It is freaking hot here. The preface meeting was grim. Think white tent on asphalt in baking sun. The guy beside me passed out. It was very well organized. Very Swiss, no questions allowed.
I went for a nice swim after and enjoyed the scenery. ;p)
Now napping as a thunderstorm is happening outside. Then we are going out for a BD dinner. I heart vacation.

Had a really great day here in vacation land. Slept in tip 9 am, trying to shake the jet lag. Then went out for coffee and scored some bike stuff that I needed. Then cycled out to the Ironman village where I got my bike tuned up. Next joined some of the pros for an organized tour of the bike course. Had an amazing time out cycling in the alps, it was a gorgeous hot summer day. Got back into town in time to meet my pal Kevin who had just arrived from PHX. keV took me to a secluded part of the river where we could swim naked. The perfect thing to do after sweating it out on the bike. Then we took in some dinner at trendy sidewalk cafe in West Zurich. I think I like vacation. Can’t wait for chick interrupted to fly in tonight.

Nice and warm here in Zurich.  Feeling sleepy down at lakeside, just relaxing as I shake off the jet lag.

Sitting in my fave coffee shop this morning, lazily sipping on a coffee, dappled summer sunshine warming my face, I suddenly realized that I was ready to leave.  Why?  Because there was now no reason to go.  There was no longer a requirement to do something grandiose to mark living a half century of life.  No need to prove to anyone that I could do yet another Ironman race.  No need to punch another hole in the ozone by jetting to the other side of the globe.  I no longer had to go and therefore I was now free to go.

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Ps.  I just ran out and bought some carbon offsets.  I am now even more ready to leave.

How am I going to get all this triathlon crap gear on the plane?

Oh crap, I forgot toiletries.  I guess those are important if you are travelling with friends (that I would like to keep).  Suppose that also means that I also have to pack a change of clothes.  Oh man, doesn’t the world want another smelly 50 year old tourist?