"I'm a Little Tired"

I suppose that's to be expected eh? I didn't sleep much last night as I couldn't get my mind to slow down. I really want to tell you all about my race but if you're still interested it will have to be tomorrow. At least if we can get an internet connection as we're back on the road...headin home the Canadian way.

In the mean time check this out.

I wish to dedicate day 1a to the memory of Ironman Wally Wiwchar, who sadly passed away during yesterdays race. He died doing what he loved.

“Live as you would have wished to live when you are dying"---Christian Furchtegott Gellert

love
peter

"Take That Cancer"

And that's about all I have to say, other than to tell you that this whole journey of the past year was in my mind a testament to the human spirit and a testament to family and friends. They are in essence one and the same. I am very proud of myself today for this thing, but even prouder of all those who dared to love me, and dared to believe in me. Historically that has not been an easy task because I've been an asshole for a good part of my life. Today I don't feel so much like an asshole. Today I feel special! Today I am an Ironman! My Subaru Ironman Canada official finishing time was 11:36:54. Maybe you'll find the proof here. Just enter bib # 1841. Take that world! Take that cancer!
More tomorrow. Right now I need to try to eat and then I'm gonna have a beer. Maybe two!

love
peter

"Sunday Morning 4 AM"

...Lets get this show on the road! Or in the lake first I guess. It will be a long warm day (32 deg) but with little wind, the weather channel claims. I now have to focus on one thing only. I need to believe that whatever comes out of this day that I will be proud of myself. I have put a great deal of pressure on myself and am afraid of letting myself and others down. I need to remind myself of the accomplishment of simply getting here. By the end of the day I will be able to say, "I am an Ironman"

I wish to dedicate this entire day, and every day after this to my wife Claudette Regnier, without whom I would not be here today!

"The crime is not to avoid failure, the crime is to not give triumph a chance."---H. Weldon

love
peter

"Let er Rip!"

I have to post early today so that I'm not worrying about it tonite. I don't really have much to say anyway, which will please Bill. I feel quite anxious but that's clearly normal. I'm sure that's why you see so many people still out there, swimming, biking and running. They're just trying to deal with the jitters. Personally I'm trying to cope by relaxing a little and keeping my feet up.

I think generally that I have everything ready and the logistics of race day figured out. We went and checked in my bike and my transition bags this morning and so that's something off my mind. I will make one last visit down there this evening to walk my mind through the transitions again. Tomorrow morning will just be a last minute check of my tire pressure and that part should be good. Also in the morning I have to hand in my special needs bags and get my body marking done. The truly amazing part of this whole event from human perspective is not the competitors, but rather the volunteers. There are just over 2600 competitors, and 4000 volunteers!!! Many of them are already down there helping you with anything you may possibly need. I try hard to thank everyone of them I pass by.

I have to take this last opportunity to thank so many people who have helped me out over the last year. They are too numerous to mention but you know who you are. I'm pretty sure that over the last year I have mentioned each and every one of you in my blog and so we'll leave it at that. With one exception. One more time I have to thank Claudette. She often says that I would do the same for her, but I'm not sure that she's right. She has totally and unselfishly made this incredible journey "all about me". The neat thing for both of us however is that it has clearly brought us closer together. Especially these last 2 weeks, living together in this small space we have gotten along so remarkably well. I think I will always cherish this part of it.

As to tomorrow specifically I am still extremely anxious. Despite that I promise to do everything my mind and body are capable of. The one thing I'm quite sure of is that I will have the kind of day that I deserve. Time will tell what that is.

Tomorrow Claudette will be trying to get some video and pics and as such I'm gonna leave you on your own to find any race updates. I think you should be able to get it here ....I hope.

I wish to dedicate day 345 to the most important person that happened to me in decades. My grandson Colby, who's smile will literally be carrying me to the finish line tomorrow!

...and in closing...the mans famous last words were....bring it on!!!!!!!!!

"Try Not; Do or Do Not!"---Yoda

love

peter

"Almost There"

As hoped for I got to meet Paula Newby-Fraser this morning.



Besides being the most successful long course triathlete ever, she is bright, witty and well spoken. I had a chance to meet with her along with a small group of people who had entered the race through the community fund program. A charity program in which you pay twice the entry fee, and coincidentally the reason I was allowed to carry my entry over to 2009. She made several comments which I found sensible but the point which hit home the most with me was related to "why are you here?" She said that the most common phrase she usually heard during race week was "I just want to have fun". She challenged us on this, making the point that a year ago when we signed up and started training that the idea of 'fun' had nothing to do with it. She went on to share her belief that each and every one of us was there for a very special, very personal reason, and that we should focus on that as opposed to having fun. I took her advice to heart and as such intend on trying to enjoy my success, as opposed to having fun. I think those are 2 very different things

I'm tired today and at the same time I'm ready to go. I did not sleep well last night but hope for better tonite. I continue to get amazing support from so many people but tonite I had a special call. My sister-in-law Heather and her daughter Carla gave me the most wonderful words of support. They then put brother Bill on the line who proceeded to tell me at some length that my blog was mostly a waste of words. This didn't bother me because generally I agree with him and I appreciate his honesty. It was clear however that he has read enough of it to be able to make that judgement and as such I say it must have had a few good moments. Besides, he blew his whole tough guy approach when he told me that "he loved me"!!! I love you too Bill!

Teresa tells me that we made it onto the TV in Kitchener tonite courtesy of Janine and there will be a followup on Monday for anyone who cares. Any video you will see will be courtesy of my wife, videographer extraordinaire.

I wish to dedicate day 344 to our Kylie, the most perfect girl child ever born, and on who's shoulders I will fly through the course.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."---Dr Seuss

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."---Walt Disney

love
peter

"Got er Made Now"

I've got the sister on my team! You may recall one of my very early postsI dedicated to this woman, Sister Madonna Buder. She is 79 years old and has completed 35 Ironman Races. She said she would pray for me, and failing that she would walk the marathon with me. I'm counting on the prayers!

This morning started out with registration down at the park, and by the time we were out of there and back to the RV, my stress level was through the roof. Thank goodness Roo had the foresight to get us in line before they even opened, other wise we would have been standing for hours. What an incredible zoo! Fortunately as the day wore on Claudette talked me down and as I started getting all my respective gear packed and ready for the race I gradually settled down. Phone conversations with Peter and Miguette and the grandchildren(especially them) really helped, as well as a text message from Jon and a brief note I got from Cory....she's still taking care of me in my old age.

I also continue to get incredible support from other family and friends through e-mail, Roos facebook, and by phone. I am so humbled by it all.

I went over my bike one more time including checking every chain link individually, then took it out for a short ride. I officially declare it ready to go.

Tonite I will just try to relax and then tomorrow I will prepare everything I've not already done, including mixing all my nutrition. My bike and my transition bags actually need to checked in on Saturday anyway. Bit by bit they are erecting all of the fences, tents, bleachers etc and so I can start to get a sense of where and when everything will happen. I am looking forward to them getting the swim buoys out on the lake so that I can get my head around that. I already know that 2 kms out is going to look like a long way and the sooner I see it the better.

Tomorrow I will be going to a breakfast meeting exclusively for participants who entered through the community fund charity, and I think there I will be able to meet Paula Newby- Fraser. She is unarguably the most successful triathlete of all time, of any gender. She has won 24 Ironman races including Hawaii 8 times. ABC sports named her the greatest all around female athlete in the world! Maybe I'll get a few tips eh?

For the most part I want Saturday to be a day of meditation and soul searching. I need to enter this thing with a clear mind and a feeling of peace. Wish me luck with that.

Today Claudette asked me what I was going to do without my blog? Good question eh? I'm not sure yet but right now I think I will try to carry it on for a while. I can, if I choose to do so, sign up for 2010 on Saturday??? Probably not! But to continue my writings I would probably need something to give it some focus and as such maybe I'll come up with some new endeavour...something more useful...something harder...something not so selfish. We'll see.

I wish to dedicate day 343 to my littlest son Adrian who also happens to be my biggest son, but more importanly a son who has grown into a man before my eyes! Today he watered his mothers plants without a reminder, thereby reaching heights I have never scaled myself!!!

"Courage is just fear, plus prayers, plus understanding."---Edward Albert

"I have lived to thank God that all my prayers have not been answered. "---Jean Ingelow

"It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray."---Aesop

love
peter

"Now That's a Good Sign!"

I was down at the lake today just trying to de-stress and a guy handing out business cards gave me one. He was a registered massage therpist who was offering his services to people "after their Ironman" I didn't have a sign on me and I was just dressed in my sloppy clothes but somehow he suspected I was a competitor. I hope it was because I looked like one. I'm gonna believe I did.

I did my little simulation today and it went well. Everything felt good, and I learned a few little things as well. My new ear plugs are comfortable and keep the water out nicely. Sand will be a potential problem as I come off the beach and get into my cycling shoes. Normally I would just ignore it but I'm afraid to for this distance. My heart rate monitor felt fine under all my stuff so that's good. I was trying to decide whether to take my own wetsuit off while still in the water or whether to use the volunteer wetusit strippers and that answer bacame obvious as I struggled a bit getting it off myself. My bike felt great after all the attention it got and my "race" shoes were a pleasure to pull on.

Tomorrow morning, check in starts and at that point I will get my race number and all necessary paraphernalia. Then I can start getting all my gear bags packed and hoepfully that will begin easing the stress. I had 2 beers this afternoon because I was starting to feel a little out of control. I know that sounds pathetic but the physical withdrawal from exercise combined with the emotional aspects of doing something you've never done before, truly take a toll.

I had much e-mail chatter with mt friend Janine Grespan today and she still intends on doing something around this thing. If you get a chance watch CTV Kitchener news at 6 on friday and you should see me. She will re-introduce me with the intention of doing a follow up on Monday after the race. Claudette sent her some video today and will also send what she can capture on race day. As well there is a possibility that I may get interviewed by CTV Vancouver some time in the coming days. I'm not sure if it will be a useful distraction or more stress?? Either way...bring it on!

I want to take back my offer to have Roo send out race day updates because it should not be necessary. The website specifically states that they will have a live "athltete tracker". At the very least you should be able to see when I finish each component and there may even be more frequent data during the run. Here again is the Ironman Canada link but I'll provide more info as they provide it to us. For now if you like you can hit the Race Coverage button and read the story.

I have a special place in my heart today for my dear brother-in-law Mike, just in case he needs it.

I wish to dedicate day 342 to my son Michael who was born special, remains special today, and from whom I have learned so much

And on good signs...

“It was ordained at the beginning of the world that certain signs should prefigure certain events."---Marcus Tullius Cicero

love
peter