Registration day and Nations Parade done

Today was a day of no training but it was a busy day. The morning started with an athletes breakfast from Tri Travel with guest speakers being Michellie Jones, Chris Legh and Mitch Anderson. Luke Bell was also there for some advice. They also had a guy from Newton running shoes at hand to help with the fitment of free pair of newton shoes for those who never ran in it before.

This was very helpful even for me who's been using the shoe. I took my old pair of Newtons and the guy showed me exactly how my feet are landing and said that the Newtons I'm using is the perfect size and model for me.


Me and Chris Leigh

The info shared by the athletes were very helpful and interesting. I particular like it when Mitch Anderson speaks. He is a doctor by profession and his tips are also making scientific sense.

Mitch Anderson


Luke Bell

After breakfast we headed to the registration hall and registration was done with in five minutes. Don't know if everybody thought it is going to be busy on the first day but there weren't many athletes.
At the start of registration


Finished with registration

The registration pack has the same things in it than any other registration pack apart from the hard board race number for the bike. Not a sticker for your seat post but this one goes onto the from down tube.

We eventually had lunch at the casual Huggo's today. I am sticking to the boring but safe stuff. I will try all the fish and exotic foods after the race. Don't want a upset stomach now. It was very hot today and I think it's been the hottest day since we arrived.


This afternoon was the nations parade and it started at the hotel where the registration is and ended at the expo about 1km away. It was a real experience walking on Alii drive and be greeted and cheered by all these spectators.

The announcer said that there is 14 athletes presenting South Africa, with 11 present at the parade.

After the parade we headed to the expo which opened tonight. As one can expect it was so busy with everybody heading to it. I stopped by the Cervelo stand and ask the guy if he can help me with my rear brake as it is touching the rim and not the brake part of the rim since I changed my tyres from 23's to 21's.

He said no problem and said I must bring my bike tomorrow morning at 9am. When he saw my South African shirt he started asking me all these questions. It turns out he is the husband to Tereza Macel who is part of team TBB. James Cunama and Lucie Zelenkova from SA are also part of team TBB.
Wish the ocean can be this flat on race day as it was tonight.
Listening to Dave Scott speaking at the Triathlete Magazine stand.


I finally met my two coaches Mark Allen and Luis Varges. At their stand I also signed next to my name on their poster of the athletes they coach that is participating


Me and Luis


Mark showing me to their booth.


Signing next to my name.



After that we headed to the Newton stand and Craig Alexander and Natasha Badman were signing autographs. Craig was so friendly and when I told him I'm from South Africa he started talking Rugby, what a nice guy.




When we finally headed home a guy we've been seeing at the beach close to our apartment for the past few days ( I think he stays there) was collecting coconuts from the tree and when I showed Dejone the coconuts and explain to her what it is he gave us one and said we can have it.

I thought he wanted money or something for it but he just gave it to us.


Tomorrow is going to be a busy day training wise. I am heading to the beach at 7 am to swim with the fellow Mark Allen athletes together with Mark Allen and Luis Varges.

Then I have a 1h30 bike schedule and a 30 minute run in the afternoon.