It's nearly here

Holy smokes, the big show is nearly upon us. As training picked up over the past many months, blogging was dealt a blow... but so be it, not going to reflect on that.

To all of those who have provided support in this year-long journey toward the Ironman, words could not do justice to the appreciation felt. Now less than 48 hours from departing for the desert and under six days from stepping up to the beach to begin the day-long race, I am confident I've put in the hours of training needed. There will be a time or two when exhaustion will try and reign me in on Sunday, but I've prepared for those mental challenges by remembering those who have had it much tougher than me. As long as BG's hold, insulin pump malfunctions are avoided, hypoglycemic reactions are caught early, I'm going to complete the 140.6-mile race. This journey has taken me from Kona to Killington from Death Valley to Mt Elbert in the past year, over 100 miles on the bike in six different states, over 25 miles of running in seven different states. More than that, each trip has introduced me to remarkable stories from some remarkable people that have overcome the odds to accomplish so many different and varied goals. It's been the largest gift on how to live one's life that I could have ever hoped for.

This weekend is going to provide a tremendous celebration. I am eager to meet so many from the 2008 Triabetes team, so many of the 2008 Triabuddies, to catch up with my Triabetes teammates that I spent a remarkable week with in March 2009, to hear about my Triabuddy Parker's trip to the Channel Islands and how to live an active life with Type 1 diabetes, to meet all the peers he will be introduced into beginning tomorrow night, to see the premier of the Triabetes documentary on Saturday, to catch up with so many friends, family and supporters of this project AND to reach the starting line on Sunday morning. The work is now done, Sunday will be a celebration that will push my limits, but like I've done before, I'll find a way to reach the finish line. I WILL reach the finisher's chute with a smile on my face.

Thank you for adding so much to my life and looking forward to the years ahead!!

P.S. - I will have a blog entry summarizing as much as I can following raceday - by Thanksgiving weekend :)