Piece of Iron

"He's not human. He is like a piece of iron!"

-Ivan Drago

12 hours in and halfway through the marathon. After this photo was
taken Preston requested that I "scatter his ashes." hmm...

Support

It has been amazing to have the support I have had all along the way.

Thank you to everyone that has donated, worn a 3BROS shirt, and given me support on this adventure. I will have plenty of time to be thankful for it all tomorrow.

1 day until Ironman USA:
http://januscharitychallenge.kintera.org/LP09/PFILES

Thinking of you from Georgia

Go Uncle P-Funk!

2010

It is the day before the race. Athletes have the option to sign up for
the 2010 lake placid ironman today and the line winds down out of the
high school gymnasium. I took this picture, but don't worry nobody is
holding my spot in line. Proof I have some brains left.

My bib, bonnets, and bottle

I got a Feeling

Call me crazy... But I am actually looking forward to the moment on
Sunday when that demon feeling arises and wants to quit. I know it
will come, I just don't know when.

See you on Sunday feeling, I've got something for you, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Expo and Registration

I'll probably buy everything I see with an ironman logo on it.

Room with a View

Good morning mountains.

Arriving on the Scene

Rollin into LP in my pimp my rental ride HHR, rocking my Doc Ock cap.
Let's rock this IM.

Airports

6 AM flight this morning started the early rising for this upcoming
weekend. It beats shocking your body with a 4:30 AM wake up call on
race day.

I've done my best not to think about the actually race part of this
event. The marathon is the only distance I have actually covered, the
others I can't even comprehend, which I think might be a blessing.

Tonight, after a year of training and planning, I'll be in Lake Placid, unless I
have a change of heart and drive the rental getaway car to Canada.

Swim Start

This is one key to a faster swim time.

Thanks Samaritan's Purse for sending the image and for your concern.

Tracking Device

You can follow me live on race day, Sunday, 7:00 AM Eastern, on IronmanLive.com using the Ironman athlete tracker.

I am athlete number #87.

IMUSA Race Plan

Joe Friel's blog describes a world full of science and expertise on how to train and race faster and smarter. Sometimes I read it. One recent post I read and made it my own. Here is my Ironman Race Plan:

Ironman Lake Placid 2009
“KEEP MOVING FORWARD”

Goals:
1) 13:59 (1:35/7:30/4:35) Dream Day
2) Finish
3) Finish on my feet

Keys for Success:
· Bike pacing (enjoy the ride/scenery, stay comfortable, aero)
· Nutrition (eat something every hour, drink something every 45 minutes)
· Enjoy the day, keep moving forward, and just get to the marathon
· The only race is to beat the cut offs

Race Week:
· Get there healthy and well rested

· Stretch

Race Morning:
I have waited a year, enjoy

SWIM: Goal "Just keep swimming..." 1hr 35 minutes

Keys for Success:
· Avoid elbows and kicks to the face
· Sing like Dory in Nemo
· Love the second loop

Axioms:
Head down and grab water
Settle and focus on technique
Long and narrow

T1: wetsuit/ goggles off, get bag, bar and gel in pocket, glasses and helmet on the way to bike, mount line, on bike, shoes done up, Ride to run!

Bike: Goal “Enjoy the scenery” 7:30

Keys for Success:
· Don't muscle any hill
· Look around

· Channel energy from nature, just kidding, but really

· You hate the bike, the bike hates you, if you can't get along, get it on.

Axioms:
“Ride to run”
“Break in the footwear, and walwease the secwet weapon”
“Narrow and aero”

T2: handoff bike, helmet off, socks on, shoes on, hat on, race belt, “It is not as far away as Africa”

Run: Goal 4:35

Keys for Success:
· Ease into first 3 miles
· Focus on form
· Pace the first half, get into the feeling of running
· Gel every 30-45 minutes

· Breathe like a train
· Love the aid stations

Axioms:
“Just keep moving forward”

"I must break you"

13:59

'Nearer, My God, To Thee'

Hopefully, one week from now at this time, (9:30ish) I will have just crossed the finish line of an Ironman. Little I do will help me now, but there are a ton of things that could cause major problems. Every step I take is full of extra care.

Before my first half-Ironman in Austin this past October I was a mess. I think the association with a race branded with Ironman was what really gave it more power. Now, I feel pretty well battle tested. And oddly, I have a good and calm feeling about the upcoming race.

I just can't tell if it is the same kind of peace that the band on the Titanic had.

Running

One of my favorite things is running in a new place. Different climate, terrain, air, it all makes running new again. Running in a city I barely know my way around is even better, I know kind of where to go and see something cool and with every turn there is still a chance to get lost and the adventure begins anew.

One thing about being 'marathon ready' and traveling is with shoes if you can see it from afar you can usually get there.

Lubbock is a major exception because you can see New Mexico when you stand on a coke can.

Washington, DC

3BROS speaking in front of congress, kind of.

Washington, DC

Running at the mall.

Washington, DC

A word with you please sir.

And In This Corner...

Standing 5' 7" and weighing in at 160 lbs., from Houston, TX... the challenger.

TriBike Transport

Today could be the last day I ever see my bike... but we all know I am not that lucky.

I dropped off my bike at Bikesport and from there it will be shipped to the race where it will be ready and waiting for me near the transition area. TriBike Transport is a sponsor of Ironman races and is a service that has a convenience/price ratio comparable to the water and candy found in the hotel mini bar.

Hopefully, my bike and I will be reunited again in Lake Placid where we have an 8 hour long joy ride awaiting us.

Mambo Number 5

In my life, I have done 4 triathlons. My 5th will be an Ironman.

I am not too sure that is normal.

The Laboratory

Today's Mail

Denver, CO

Run Preston, Run

And In This Corner...

Here is a course summary.

Spiderman 3

Today I bought my first wetsuit. I haven't raced or swam in a wetsuit before, but I will have plenty of "play time" to test it out in the Ironman. I hear the water in Lake Placid is not as warm as the water in Texas. There are some serious crazies that say a real Ironman is done without a wetsuit, because they help with speed and buoyancy. With 2.4 miles to swim, floating and floating swiftly are two things that are starting to sound pretty good.

The only thing I know about wetsuits is that they make you look like Venom from Spiderman 3.

An Expert

I tell you this to help you realize something, I am not an expert. I do crazy races and the truth behind almost all of them is, I wing it. It has worked so far, one more to go. Only, this one is one of the most formidable races you can sign up for.

Remember my "secret weapon?" Well, carbon soled cycling shoes would be a welcome addition to fuel my need for speed, if only I knew that there were about 5 different types of bike clips. Of course, the clips I currently have are different. So, when I thought I got a great deal on some cycling shoes, now I have to get some new clips.

Bike shoes all have a plate that clips into the pedal, different shoes have different plates needing different clips. I blame the French. On a road bike it helps to be clipped in for power and helps when you are flying down a hill so you can't escape from the metal frame and your impending death. My bike came with the basic beginner start up kit. I got a helmet, shoes and a cycling outfit that matches, and now I know what kind of clips came with my bike.

Experts say you shouldn't change anything about your routine or gear before a race. I am not an expert. I think this weekend I'll do something I don't do, go for a bike ride.

Plano, TX

Yes We Can!  :)

UNIS

Team Samaritan's Purse Shirts!

Walwease the Secwet Weapon!

Camden, TX

4th of July F.I.A.S.C.O.

Xian, China

Unflinching, steadfast and enduring..... yeeess!!  You rock, Preston!

Ironman Buffalo Springs 70.3

Ironman Buffalo Springs 70.3 was a great race to lead up to the Ironman with. It was tough, I expect little difference from Lake Placid, known to be a tough course as well. The bike course at Buffalo Springs was incredible. There were 8 challenging hills, one of which I didn't pedal going down for about 5 minutes, only I knew it was an out and back. Going back uphill took slightly more than 5 minutes, more like 50 mintues. Biking is easily my weakest sport and if I survive the swim, bike past the 112 miles and have to lace up some running shoes, I know I can finish the Ironman, despite the marathon that awaits.

I have a strategy, slightly more detailed than "don't die." Some things I can control, others I can't. I'll focus on the things I can and try to get to the starting line as healthy as possible.

Not feeling or looking too good.

Loving downhill.

Hating uphill.

Questioning what I am doing with my life.

Still more biking.

Elated to be anywhere other than still on the bike.

Texas Tech medical students greeted you at the finish.

Another medal.

Boone, NC

Keep up the good work Preston.  We love the 3 Brothers here in Boone as well.