I'm So Excited!

Brett Favre is about to begin his first drive of the pre-season! Yes! (By "Yes!" I mean that in a few short weeks we will see if my prediction for BF is true...7 INTs last season will turn into 7 in the first 7 games of the season this year...used to love you man, but you broke my heart by being a raging narcissist), but I digress...

So I flipped to the last page of my Ironman training schedule, and I really can hardly believe that I am here! I think I actually have to do this now. One week to go...in fact, one week from now, I should be well into my marathon (and BF gets sacked...so sad). As of 8:25 pm, I am feeling excited and as ready as I think one can feel a week ahead of one's first Ironman. By the time I finish typing this, that excitement will have turned into massive anxiety. That has been the pattern of the past week or so. For example, I found out my bib number is 305 (excited), but then I read a thread on the iamtri.com Louisville group page and plunged into the deep fear that I need to set up camp Saturday morning to get a good place in line to start the swim (anxiety). I am, of course, exaggerating (or am I), but the earlier I start, the more time I have to finish. This time trial start is interesting, and as I see it, the sooner I get on the bike, the better. I am least comfortable with my biking ability, and any little cushion will help my mental state. I think if I just settle in on the swim, I will be fine, and I at least know what to expect from the marathon. The bike is my nemesis, and I will defeat it (just like BF got defeated on his first drive and is finished for the game).

I felt pretty good on my last 3-hour ride yesterday. My legs feel fresh-ish after a week of tapering, and I am fairly comfortable in the saddle. I know I am physically capable of riding the 112 miles, and I think the mental game is going to be the key. I talked with another Ironman finisher earlier this week, and he admitted to yawning at one point on the bike out of pure boredom. It is a long haul, and keeping a fresh head is going to be key! I have found on my long rides here that singing helps. I don't want to make my fellow participants suffer more than they have to, and I think the ears may be one of the few body parts that won't be sore after the IM. However, I have found that a playlist of church songs, Journey, Kanye West, Boston, the Rocky IV soundtrack, and Jay-Z keep me pretty keyed in to the task at hand. Apologies in advance to any age-groupers in the middle-ish of the pack who I may inadvertently serenade.

The hotel reservation is confirmed. My race-day clothes are folded and packed in the green Gap shopping bag that has been my race-day clothes bag since the Chicago Marathon in 2007. Dinner reservations are set for the night before the race. My obsessive 10-day forecast weather-checking has commenced. The Vikings have kicked a field goal...like they should have in the NFC championship last year if Favre hadn't thrown an interception. A'ight, enough railing on poor Brett Favre. I have an Ironman to finish!