The Dream-Day 79

I can't believe it's the half way point of my full distance Ironman journey. Ironically, my first real test, is the 1/2 IM in Geneva, NY this Sunday. By the end of the week I will have logged about 200 hrs since April 4th.

And what a blur it's been. This has been a period in my life like no other. It began innocently enough with "What the hell did I just register for?"...to injury, doubt, and thoughts of bailing...to finding Joe Petrush, my swim & tri coach...to investing a lot of time and money to really learn how to swim...to realizing the sport is super expensive (WTF?)...to telling everyone I know what I was doing as a way of becoming more accountable to the goal...to getting past major back pain & 3 herniations a few days before my self-imposed deadline to say I'm all in (I vascillated about 700 times)...to going to bed like a 5th grader and setting my alarm clock to an hour know one on this rock should ever have to set it to...to buying a pair of running shoes (still haven't gotten over that one)...to meeting great people of all ages, many of whom have entirely different goals and reasons why they train, learning that I've inspired some of them as much as they've inspired me...to swimming in a veritable washing machine (see today's pics/video below).

Many people have asked what I'll do after Panama City. Anyone have any ideas?

With fly boy, Pete. Yes, those are white caps.



Hey, Pete, this is fun, right?



I'm in there...somewhere.



Setting my lap time with Pete (dark blue cap). Damian (green cap) is up to something sinister & is not to be trusted.

With Laura (Damian's sister)

    

It's like playing golf in Scotland...but on water.



Ella. Big time cutie & open water "watch" dog.

My futile attempt to draft off Damian (green cap).