I've packed and re-packed everything 3 times now, and I'm getting a little nervous. I checked Checkpoint Tracker yesterday and they had what appear to be the actual daily distances listed for The Coastal Challenge, that 50+ km day, yeah, that "+" is actually 15 km! 40 miles in one day will be a long haul.

After quickly double checking everything this morning, I jumped in the car to get to the airport. After Passing Jon Barker on the road in Marietta my first hassle of the day is when I get to the airport and find out that my luggage is 4 lbs over weight. I quickly rummage through it and grab out a bag of protein shake mix. That takes off 3 lbs. One more to go. I hastily grab my toiletries bag and it makes weight.

Making my way to the security checkpoint and instantly regret my last decision. The line is short so I breeze right up to the x-ray machine and apparently miss the notice that you can take gels and liquids, but they have to be in a 1 quart plastic bag. Of course they catch my bag and kindly inform me that I'm not complying with the rules. Luckily I had a few plastic baggies in my kit for bandages and such so I shuffle things around enough that they let me through. The best part about all this is that in the same bag as the toiletries, I have my hydration pack filled with water and they never said a word. Go figure.

Arriving in San Jose uneventful until I make my way out of the airport and start looking for the shuttle. As soon as you step out of the airport there are 100 cab drivers all waiting to part me and my precious dollars. I ask for the shuttle bus and get blank stares like I'm asking for foie gras at the cinema. One gentleman looks at his watch and says it won't be here for another hour. Just as he says that, I look up and the shuttle comes round the corner. Stepping onto the bus I am greeted by 3 other participants of this years race. I make it to the hotel, find registration, and my room.

At the race meeting we get a little introduction to the race, get introduced to the team putting it on and are then presented with a local dance troupe that does some juggling with fire. It's a nice welcome to Costa Rica. We are informed that tomorrow will be an early day, we must have our boxes out front no later than 4:00 AM! Then we board buses for a 3 1/2 hour drive to the start. Our first day of running is 21 km, and starts at 10:00 AM (9 EST). Let the fun begin!

Peter