Well, despite my hopes that some kind of cold front would pass through the area and cool things down, it looks like that’s not going to be the case. Wandering through Ironman village today, it hit me that it’s going to be hot out tomorrow. I mean, nasty, meltdown, cramping like hot. Oh, and reasonably windy too with gusts up to 25 MPH?! I remember spectating in 2003 where the temperatures were probably very much what it’s going to be like tomorrow. I remember seeing the pain on people’s faces and thinking to myself that I never need to do one of these races. Ever. Despite an average temperatures in the mid 70s, this will be the third straight year of an unusually hot weekend.

I’ve done the training. I’ve trained in hotter weather than what I’ll see tomorrow. But I’m not throwing out a challenge to the course to “bring it” tomorrow. On the contrary, tomorrow those folks who show patience early in the race and prepare for the inevitable oven that will be the run course in the afternoon will succeed. Sometimes, you need a little more brain than brawn and tomorrow will be one of those days. Tomorrow, pacing and nutrition are going to be the keys to the race and finishing upright. Mark my words… I think we’re going to see record DNF rates.

I’m a little nervous, but I don’t know many folks who wouldn’t be on the eve of an Ironman. In around 12 hours, I should be in T1 sometime and in 24 hours, if all goes well, I should have a finishers metal around my neck. But I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch. There’s a whole lot of work that needs to get done before then.

For those following along at home, you can follow me using this link.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. I hope to see you on the other side.

The Edge

Here at the edge of it I must remind myself that there are things that I have learned, things that have not come easily – things for which I went hunting, for which I have sacrificed, and which will not abandon me. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and knowing this, I will be ready.

By 6:00 a.m. I have swum the three miles that many will never even walk in their lifetimes. I have known what it is to stand at the foot of a monolith race, quiver at the sight of it, and then kneel before it to pick up my axe. I have steadied my hands and fixed my focus, and I have swung like hell until it all came tumbling down. Then, still quivering, I have walked over the rubble of it, and wept for much more than the accomplishment.

Of the elements, there is no weather that has hindered my forward progress. There is only the kind that has fired and hardened my will - only the kind that has inspired the rebellious and insubordinate child inside of me. I have spit in the face of the rain and I have lit up the sky with a mile of curses and defiant speeches, and for it, I have been drenched until my soul dripped. But I have kept on pedaling. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and knowing all of this, I will be ready.

Finally, I understand that there is nothing still until I have heard 4,000 foot-falls, and that after so long it is not my legs that will carry me. Time and time again I have been reborn in the smiles that I have received. And with every understood thank you that I have delivered because it was all that I could do to breathe, I have cultivated a faith in humanity. I will succeed because I have come too far. I have worked too hard, and because I have no choice, as I have burned the bridge leading back to all that I used to be.

On occasion I have crossed the threshold of my potential, and standing there, have seen ten-thousand places where I have not yet been. Therefore, I will not look back. I will not question and I will not doubt. I have nothing to fear on this side of it, and here again at the edge of it I will take a deep breath, and I will go forward.

For reminded of all of this, I know that I am ready.

Iron Wil - Through The Wall