Awesome race, kids!You were AMAZING! You made us so proud, and even made some of us mushy moms cry  (don't tell!) You are a powerful inspiration of positive energy and determination to all of us. What a cool thing to see! You can see your times on-line now and we'll post more about the race a little later, photos, etc. Thank you kids and families for such a wonderful day! Way to go Diamond Kids!
Good luck tomorrow!Tomorrow's the big day! We have been setting up the course and are getting super excited! Tip of the day: test your equipment. Ride your bike, pump up your tires, check your bar ends, test your gears and brakes, make sure your helmet works, etc. These are all things that the bike check guys on race morning will be looking for. They will not let you into transition until your bike passes the safety inspection, so be prepared! We'll bring some extra bike supplies to the dinner and the race just in case you need it. This would also be a good day to put elastic laces in your shoes, if you don't already have them. Triathletes use them to get their shoes on/off faster and to not have to tie their shoes. We'll have some extras at the dinner and can explain how to use them. I like them so much I wear them with all my shoes! Also, dunk your head in some water to test your goggles. Once your gear is ready, you can check the DK Dude in your packet to see what you need to do to get yourself ready. Last day for packet pick up. We brought the remaining race packets back to Blue Diamond and will have them available for pick up at the spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 7:30p.m. (directions below). Or if you can't come then, call me and I'll arrange to meet you earlier. 274-0116. Spaghetti Dinner Preview Party 5:30 to 7:30p.m. (directions): from Summerlin: go out Charleston (159) through Red Rock Canyon to Blue Diamond Village. (about 14 miles). From Mountain's Edge, go West on 160 (about 4 miles) to the 160/159 junction and turn right to go to Red Rock Canyon. 3 miles from the junction From Henderson, go west on 215 to Durango, south to 160, then Mountain's Edge directions From both ways, turn West into Blue Diamond on Castalia street. Take your first left in front of the post office. At the end of the road, the community center (barn red, arch-shaped building) is straight ahead. We will have a list of who's paid, so the rest of you can pay at the door (except the free athletes).
List of things to bring on race morning: Athletes: Your donation items from the DK wishlist (required for parking) 2 towels (very important. You will dry off with one and set your things out on the other.) swim suit goggles* swim cap* (optional) floaties* (optional) shorts shirt or jersey race number for shirt race number for bike arm band* (long course only) biking/running socks* biking shoes and/or running shoes elastic laces* (optional) bike with working brakes, bar ends, pumped tires tubes* pump* waterbottle* helmet!* biking gloves* *If you forget something or need something, we'll have most things available at the bike shop tent. parents: hat, visor, or sunglasses stroller, handbag, or backpack (you won't be near your car) wallet camera (optional: we'll have professional photographers taking photos as well which will be available on-line) keys your cell phone My phone number in case of emergency: 274-0116 DIAMOND KID '09--3 days to go!  Today, Sheila, Greg, and Audra will be handing out your race packets at Las Vegas Cyclery (8221 West Charleston, Ste 101) from 4-7p.m. We will do it again at the shop on Thursday from 4-7p.m. and then at the spaghetti dinner on Friday 5:30-7:30. It is OK to pick up a packet for someone else, but important to get it to them before race day so they can properly prepare. The race packets include race numbers, pins, arm bands, shirts, a "shopping list" for the Ethan Murray charity drive, and illustrated maps and instructions of how to prepare for the big day.
As we get close, we'd like to take a moment to thank your sponsors.
They make great things possible for you like a first rate timing system, medals, prizes, treats, toys, and raffle giveaways. This year, one lucky kid can even win a brand new bicycle! You can learn more about your sponsors on the DK Sponsors page. 5 days to go!Tip of the day: How you can help honor our 2009 DK Angel, Ethan Murray Today I am asking for your help. My friend Ashley Guinto asked me if we could do something to honor her nephew, Ethan, and to help families in need. I told her that Diamond Kids were good hearted kids who would love to help out, so we set up an Ethan Murray charity drive for the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House is a place where families of hospital patients can stay so they can be close to their children. Here's what you can do to help: At the Diamond Kid race, Ashley is going to be in the parking area collecting donations of items from the DK Wishlist. Every car is required to donate at least 2 items. More would be better. Thank you so much for helping Ethan's legacy. Let's surprise them with lots more than they expect!
1 week to go!Today's tip is brick training.  But first, I'll bet you Diamond Kids can beat this dude. He looks worried. He must know that Diamond Kids are coming soon to fly right past him! Today you should take advantage of your day off from school and come check out the course (maps online) or just get out and exercise wherever you are. Try to do at least two sports back to back for training, maybe even three. Doing two sports in a row to get ready for a triathlon is called brick training. (Why they named it after bricks, I don't know. What I do know is that every one of you speedy Diamond Kids is faster than any old bricks!) Swim and ride, or ride and run, or swim and run. It's also a good idea to practice running to your bike from out of a pool. Even if you're just doing the fun run, wouldn't a nice swim feel good after a run? Get out and enjoy the beautiful day! Tomorrow we will have some very important information about a really special kids charity you can help us with, and don't forget, today is the last day you can make changes to the on-line roster or rsvp for the dinner. We've been getting lots of good responses, so I know your fans are looking out for you. I'll be sending out tips and reminders all week. It's countdown time, Yippee! 9 Days to go! The 2009 Diamond Kid Roster is now posted. Please check it to make sure you are registered correctly and
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to Kendra by Saturday (May 30). After that, we send your information to the timing chip people.
10 Days to go! Read this...HEY DIAMOND KIDS, JUST 10 DAYS LEFT! We can't wait! We raised the cap by 75 this year and still SOLD OUT. We're so glad you made it in! Now we need all of you racers to watch your emails closely the next few days for important race updates and information.
1. Finalize your dinner reservations for the spaghetti dinner/course preview party. We are accepting
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through Saturday, May 30 (even if it's tentative). We have a list of people who have already paid. Everyone else can just pay at the door (racers free, adults $10, kids $5).
2. DK Fan shirt sizes. Last day for your parents to order their #1 Fan shirts is May 28.
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(adult size & style), even if you didn't pre-order on active. Also, we had such a variety of requests, that we had to merge all the different types of fans (proud mom, proud dad, proud grandmother, etc.) into one design:
Thank you and happy training!
What's new for 2009?
SPAGHETTI DINNER CARBO-LOADING and PRE-RIDE PARTY!This year we are excited to announce that we will be having a spaghetti dinner the night before the race so you can carbo load and preview the course! The dinner is 5:30 to 7:30 at the Quonset Hut in Blue Diamond. This is the red building in the same park as the event. Adults are $10, kids are $5, and athletes are FREE! We will be there to help you with any questions you may have. We can also do some pre-pinning and body marking if you'd like to get a hop on your preparations. FUN RUN!Now you can invite your friends who don't swim to come race with you! We are adding a fun run to the triathlon. This one-half mile course follows the same scenic, grassy, windy run as the triathlon, ending in the same exciting finish line as the triathletes. It is for all ages from toddler through elementary school. There will be no placings or trophies for the fun run, but all finishers will receive a finisher's medal, shirt, goodie bag, and treats! Parents are welcome to race along with their kids if they'd like. SOUVENIR SHIRTS, HATS, STICKERS FOR YOUR FANS!We are sure that Diamond Kid fans are the most FANatic fans out there! You athletes always get all the goodies, now we have stuff for your fans, too! (Can get on active.com registration.) What's not new for 2009?Everything else! The same great race course, the same great volunteers, and even the same price! We know times are hard and don't want any kids to miss out on this opportunity, so we do everything we can to keep the prices down. And you can, too, by signing up by May 31 to avoid the price increase of $10.(We can only keep prices down with the help of sponsors, so if you know anyone who can pitch in, with funds, products, or services, contact
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242-1248.) - $35 triathlon ($45 after April 30)
- $20 fun run ($30 after April 30)
- FREE athletes spaghetti dinner
- $10 adults spaghetti dinner (16 and up)
- $5 kids (non-racers) spaghetti dinner
- various souvenir shirts, stickers, hats also available to order on active.com
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REGISTER IN PERSON: