Sleeping in a van @ Kelowna Apple - My Way

I write to you from the Starbucks on Pandosy in Kelowna, BC....  

Have you ever fantasized about traveling to races, sleeping in a van, waking with the sun, swimming, biking, etc.  The life of a transient triathlete with little or no concerns?  No?  Guess that's only me...

Anyway, I am sleeping in my van - which works really well if you find a good spot where there are no drunken teenagers to freak you out at 3 in the morning.  I found a great spot last night in front of some really nice looking condos.  Condos are perfect because nobody feels like they "own" the curb where I park.  Neighbourhoods with houses are nice but people keep an eye out and are suspicious of people sleeping in vans (go figure).

There is lots of space in the van, even with my bike and other gear in the "bedroom"...  in fact I feel a lot closer to my bike than ever before after sharing a bed.  When she shifts clumsily I think I'll be a little less likely to swear at her after last night....  or, when she flats, like today during the pre-ride of the course, I am more likely to cut her some slack.  

Sleeping and training are the easy parts, hanging out is the challenge (i.e. where do you go to chill out?)  Fortunately, Canadian Starbucks have recently caught up to the rest of the world and are now providing free internet (even if it is only for 2 hours).  So that's where I am now...  

This morning the lake took care of my "shower" (and a pre-race swim tune-up).  All other personal hygiene needs (shaving, tooth brushing etc.) have been taken care of in very acceptable public washrooms.  It may not be glamourous but I enjoy it - makes me feel young again - like 23 or 24 - except all the 20-ish people I know here are staying in hotels or with friends.  Maybe nobody does this anymore?  Or ever did?

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of visiting Kelowna, I can tell you that it lies approx. 3.5 - 4 hours east of Vancouver in the scenic Okanagan Valley, not far from Penticton (home of Ironman Canada.)  That very same 3.5 hour drive took Vince and I about 6hrs yesterday....  The traffic on the highway was inexplicably, tremendously terrible.  Oh well....

Tomorrow I will compete in the Triathlon National Championship.  I love the course here in Kelowna and it should be a lot of fun even if I am not in the greatest shape of my life.  I think I am 100% after the injury earlier in the summer but I will find out for sure tomorrow.  Either way it will be great to hit the water in a race...

Good luck in the race to my training partners in Kelowna today:  Chelsea, Ashley, Darren.  Not to mention Cindy Krampl from Innovative Fitness, who I saw in transition today - it's her first Olympic Distance race tomorrow - she looked pumped!

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