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.