(Not So) Hot and Sticky ...

Post #: 9
Weeks of training complete: 13 weeks
Time until Ironman: 19 weeks
Miles swam: 46.192
Miles biked: 644.28
Miles run: 185

Goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $570

It has been insanely humid here. I ran in a white shirt this morning and it stuck to my body and became see-through in about 20 minutes. That was rad.

Despite the humidity, it's been nice - in the 80s most of the day - which is about 20 degrees below normal. This afternoon, it was in the 70s. That's almost unheard of in Phoenix in July.

We are, obviously, all giddy with the beauty of the day. That's the way I felt on Saturday, when I went for my long bike ride. I took my bike up to Paradise Valley, which is where a lot of the celebrities and sports stars and really, really wealthy people live. I just like to look at the houses - it's dumbfounding that somebody needs that much house. We're talking 10,000 square foot and more homes - they go on and on and on. So much so that you can't even believe your eyes. The desert is very lush in these neighborhoods. After heavy rains, desert plants give off a lot of odor - but good odors. So these neighborhoods, when it's humid like this, are just perfumed with the thick smell of the desert. It's intoxicating. Combine that with the clouds, and the moist cool breeze and the early morning sun, and it makes for a perfect bike ride.

I really enjoyed myself. It has been a long training week, though, and today, I was tired. But I made it, and tomorrow's a rest day - so that's nice.

This afternoon, we took Beckett to see Wall-E while Brody stayed with her grandma and grandpa. I highly recommend it to anybody who hasn't had the chance to see it.

In other, news another $300 in donations has come in since the last post. I'd like to say thank you to both most old friend and college roommate, Jared, and to grandpa Phil, who both stepped in and gave to the cause. Thank you so much to both of you. That was extremely kind.

For those of you interesting in reading more on the Ironman experience, check out my buddy Eric's blog. He's doing the same Ironman race I am. He's at: amightyadventure.blogspot.com.

Also, you can check out my sister Electa's blog at dirtydiapersandprada.blogspot.com.

You can donate to my cause and the people at Tempe Community Action Agency here. Please make sure to let my know at ebaker@ecollegetimes.com, so the totals reflect how to close to goal we are.

Have an excellent week, Ed