I finished !!!!!!

Ipromise to update with a official - Race Report- later ~ but for now .... I wan't to just
wind down drink some beer and enjoy my family. It was a amazing experience !!!!
It rained from 7:00 am until 10 pm but I did it !!!!!

Sat. Night 13 hrs to go !!!!!

I am officially freaking out...... it is amazing how much tension you can feel before one of these events. I can't even imagine how I am going to feel when I get up at 4am tomorrow to start this
journey......

Thanks so much to all of you who are watching me and rooting me on from near and far.
I can't ever begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of you and your encouragement.
Without you I would never had made it this far. I will do everything possible to cross that
finish line tomorrow evening and hope that if any of you aspire to do something you think is
impossible that you will just go do it !!!!

Pain in temporary. Pride is FOREVER !!!!!

Well were here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeni, Al and I arrived at around 3pm today ..... easy drive from DC - good weather and
good conversation. Jenni tried to reassure the two of us....not sure about AL but it
didn't do a lot for me. I am so freaked out right now.

We made a nice dinner at our house tonight and just relaxed. It was nice but I am
wondering if I can sleep.... my nerves are all messed up !!

Anyway - I have posted a photo at registration and one of AL and I at the turn off
into Placid. When I saw that first sign it totally freaked me out !!!! I will try to update with
photos and anything good between now and Sunday. Less than 3 days to go ??????

Check this out on UTUBE - then if you really want to be inspired watch any of the others that
will be listed.... it's pretty amazing to watch !!!
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Bh1yMnrby3w

1 WEEK to go !!!!!!!!!!!!

As I sit here the countdown is officially on..... 1 week and 18 minutes until the start ......

I have a 40 mile ride today and I opted not to ride with the team. Long drive expensive gas and just wanted to try to sleep in a bit. So I am getting ready to put in my last longer ( funny 40 miles no longer seems long) ride before the race and trying to stay calm and keep to the plan.

The plan is - Have FUN - enjoy this experience and feel the accomplishment !!

I am having fun - yesterday Team Z went to a local Olympic distance race and had about 15
relays as well as 10-12 participants... new Zr's is what we call some of them. For some it was
there 1st triathlon ever and let me tell you how amazing you feel when you finish - no matter how long it takes you you just feel great..... The relay teams were made up of many of out IM
folks... just getting in a last workout and for me trying to remain distracted. I did the swim
part of my team and had a great time. Good distraction for a few hours.

I just looked for race results from my 1st race in 2004 and couldn't find them.... I can't believe
that I didn't keep that time in my scrap book ... there are photos and I know it took a long time ... I also know I was the very last person to cross the finish line .... I just don't have the time ???
I'm guessing that I didn't really want to remember it. Anyway, not a big deal it was just a
curiosity... I know I have come a long ~ long way. I don't need to see my times to prove that.
To date this journey has been amazing. I have made friends that will last me a life time and I
have gained confidence in myself that I may never have found. I know that I can accomplish
anything. I can do it in a triathlon and I can do it in my life. Next Sunday will be the beginning and end of a great journey ~ one that will lead me to new challenges, new triumphs and I am sure new pains !!

" Pain is temporary. Pride is FOREVER !! "

It's official I have a number #2325

Wow - not that it has not seemed official for all this time but when you see your name with
a number next to it - it is so real.....

#2325
that is my official IRONMAN number ..... let's hope that that is my finish time as well.

I got this today ~ it makes sense what more can I say ????????????

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!

40 yrs old and still kicking !!

I thought today would be a good day to reflect on being 40 and doing this event.


I obviously believe I am capable and in my heart I know I am more capable than I was at 30 but I will be the first to admit that some days I feel every muscle in my 40 year old body and question the age thing big time...... Not today ~ I watched the Olympic trials this weekend and Dorra Torrez rocked the pool at 41 ~ she looked amazing and I have to tell you I'd give anything to look like her. More than anything she said something that really hit me. You just have to believe. I promise "I BELIEVE !!"


I'm dealing a lot with the emotions of the event ~ I'm scared, I'm nervous and I am doing everything to stay calm between now and the 20th.


At this point in the game it's all about emotion.... how to keep that emotion in check. I have tried each day to just stay positive and believe in the training. To believe in what I have done and how far I have come. Less than 2 weeks to go ...............