Brace yourself for Branson

Okay, don't really brace yourself but I do have to warn you that this post is kinda full of pictures. Lots of random pictures! So where to start.....

Let me give you a little background first. This past month leading up to Branson 70.3 Ironman has been STRESSFUL!! The hubs has had an Achilles issue (you can read about it here) and I've been over doing it with training, teaching classes, work, yada yada. Totally MY fault too! That being said, all hell broke lose the day before we were suppose to leave. I almost didn't go, eek! But after a lot of tears, tantrums, and hugs, everything was okay. I ended up going a day later fully ready to GET AWAY!!! I needed to be there to support my hubs, feed him good nutritious food,  and make him feel relaxed. It was so worth it too.

Lets starts off the with plane ride. I flew AIR BRANSON and it was a super small plane, at first I was skeptical!

                                         But in the end, I loved. A whole row to myself. Yippe!

hello green pastures and rolling hills!

Since I arrived Saturday and the race was Sunday, it was straight to swim practice, pro meeting (for the hubs), and registration. Then it was off for an early dinner and BED.

James in his NEW Xterra Swim Skin. He got to demo the proto-type

3:45am came all to quickly but you can't beat the sunrise over the Chateau Hotel.

And just down the hill was the swim start.



After I saw the pros take off, I ran up the hill to the car and went to find a spot where I could seem them pass on the bike. And boy did they come flying by on that bike!

the hubs flying by!

Once again, I was off. This time to T2 to see them off on the run. I jumped in the car and headed down to Branson Landing.

It was still foggy when I got down. T2 was empty, just waiting for the cyclist to come in. The CALM before the STORM!

The hubs finally came into T2 and I yelled at him to HURRY!! He was in 4th at this point. He definitely heard me, haha!

Well, this was it. The ultimate test of how the Achilles would hold up. I praying hard that everything would be okay. I saw him on the first loop and he looked GREAT!! By the second loop he has slowed a bit. I kept yelling at him to stay focused, strong, he could hold on to fourth. 

Well, the last lap came and even though his running legs weren't there, the hubs still ran his way into 4th. Not too shabby!
It was a hot one out there and post race ice bath in the fountain was a must for these boys!

Brent Poulsen and Lovato just "chillin" post race.

I was not about to get into that water, eek! But it did look refreshing!

Congrats to the top 6 men! Ben Hoffman, Tom Lowe, Lovato, the Hubs, Poulsen (not pictured), and TJ!

After that it was time to get the WIFE (me) a refreshment. My reward as a spectator!

Man, did that go down so GOOD!

Let me tell you, we slept WELL that night! I think I actually got 9 hours of sleep. WOW! The next day (monday) we had A LOT of time to kill on Branson. Our flight wasn't until 6pm. This was actually perfect for us. We needed a day to relax at the hotel, bum around in our PJ's, go down for breakfast 2x, and watch movies. Lovely! But soon our late check out came and it was time to tour Branson. What shall we do for another 4 hours?? I know! Tour the one and only winery. Hehe.

Lots of corny wine souvenirs!

This one was my favorite.

Now is that a cool wine bottle holder or what?!?!

Next up was our tour. Let me just say, I am pretty sure we were the only ones under 75 years old. It was AWESOME! Too bad we couldn't get the senior discount.

You see what I see? Lots of plaid button up shirts, hehe!

After that we jumped on our flight totally relaxed. Best way to fly!! Home sweet home! Thanks Branson for a fun time. Cheers to all the race crew, volunteers, and athletes who participated this past weekend. It was a blast!

I sit here now, totally revived after 3 days of no work, no working out, extra sleep, and a scratchy throat from cheering on the hubs. Never take for granted the small things, like being a cheerleader. Everyone needs one!
Congrats to Kelly, Brent, Lovato, Hoffman, TJ, and Natasha for an excellent race!

Cheers,
LC

P.S.
Who is your cheerleader?