it was always a process and in the beginning, i had no idea how long this road would be.  i was the one that set the goals, that kept raising the bar, daring to believe that i was capable of just a little more.  to that point, placid was my second pro ironman, my first semi-successful pro ironman, and my seventh ironman in total.  so numbers, yes, i guess, it all comes back to a bunch of numbers.  i always found i was more of a visual learner though SO we’ll sum the trip up in a tasteful pictorial. 

we landed in Canada, loaded up a couple carts, and headed back south to the New York border.  

i was a good little car rider (i tried not to complain about being thirsty too, too much.).  shelley navigated, aimee drove, and after awhile, i read my book.

we made to lake placid, NY.  i was immediately impressed.  it is beautiful.

we stayed at a pimp condo which i affectionately took to calling the playa house.

we did practice swimming, biking, and running.

here we are on a warm-up bike with the ski jumps in the background… Lake Placid, NY was home of the winter olympics in the 1930s and again in the 1980s.

mostly, pre race, i just read.

i finished one book during the week and had to start another to calm my nerves.  i am a geek.

skip to race morning…

in general, it was a really great day.  my best time, my first top 10 pro finish, i had to walk (hobble) away from the day happy.  the crowds were awesome, congratulating me all the way home, sharing beer, etc.  i had to sign autographs…crazy, right?

here i am with copper, my number one fan in lake placid.

i “recovered.”  still hobbling, and Shelley and i finished the day down at the finish line at midnight.  we watch Matt Long, who had been hit by a bus 4 years ago finish his first ironman since the accident.  he finished in 16:58.  it was by far the best race finish i have been in attendance to watch.  Matt helped me put air in my bike tires earlier that morning.  very inspiring.  i was very careful on to use the phrase “i feel like i got hit by a bus.” post race…

it was a great trip, a great experience, and i only expect improvement.  thanks to all for the support without everyone in my life, my dreams wouldn’t be possible.