Waking up at 5 a.m. on Sunday was actually harder than getting up at 4 the previous day, and I was glad that my mother was driving so I didn't have to. 

Even though I was number 145 in the order, I arrived at the show fully decked out in my jacket, helmet and everything so I would look nice for the course walk.  The mass of people at the in-gate was huge, and I fought my way to the front so I could get a copy of the course diagram, which they were handing out.