Welcome to Ironman

Well, reality set in today. This was my first exposure to that which is the phenomenon of Ironman. While only a small number of the total field was at the site today, I was very aware of of how fit everybody is. The question that hit me first was, do I belong here? I seem to ask that question at all races and usually the results prove that I do. The second question was, have I bitten off more than I can chew? It seemed that everybody I talked to was an IM veteran, full of confidence and faith in their conditioning. Me? Not so much at the moment.

Today was the first day we could swim in Tempe Lake. It wasn't as cold as I expected. Of course, the wet suit helped. It is very green. Apparently, they have had an algae problem this winter and while it wasn't slimy, you could barely see your hands in front. It's also not a lake like we think of; more like a wide channel. It will be interesting to see 2,100 people in it at one time.

After the swim it was time to check in. It was pretty much like a marathon check-in except with more details. The funniest episode of the trip thus far happened here. One of the volunteers, seeing I was from North Carolina, asked me to say something. After I told her that I spent half of my life in Arizona and only been in North Carolina for 17 years, she said that I sounded like I was from there. Evidently, I talk more Southern than I thought.

The event manager in me eyed the process a little critically. There was a huge bottle neck at the point where we were to get weighed and then go get our packets. One would think that a group that does this as often as North American Sports does, this would not happen. Regardless, the people were very nice and explained what I was supposed to do with all the race numbers in my envelope. Now, I have to pack the bags correctly and get them to the right Budget truck on either Friday or Saturday.

I drove a good portion of the bike route. The guy at the bike shop who said there were some hills has never been to our neck of the woods. All I saw was flat. If the wind is up, which it was today, it will be a bitch because there is nothing to break it along the entire route. Desert in every direction you look. I even had a tumble weed cross my path today. Please pray for a calm day.

Tomorrow morning I get to check out my bike and make sure it is working correctly. Nothing else on the schedule except a mandatory meeting tomorrow night in Tempe.

I took a few pictures but realized this morning I forgot the cable to the computer. A stop at Best Buy is on the docket to correct that. Hopefully, I can add some pictures to this in the next few days.

Props for the day: (1) a belated one to my father-in-law who got up very early yesterday to take me to the airport (2) the volunteers who staff this race and every other one we particpate in. Nothing would happen without them. Please thank them the next time you participate.

Have a great Friday and be safe.