Real Inspiration

Post 48

Weeks of training complete: 31 weeks, 2 days
Time remaining until Ironman: 5 days

Miles swam: 129.131
Miles biked: 2,385.87
Miles swam: 584.67

Goal: $5,000
Total raised: $2,500

I'm sure a few of you are familiar with the story above; that of Dick and Rick Hoyt. People ask you all the time, who are your heroes, and for me, I always have trouble with that question. Heroes? They're people like my mom, dad, wife, my coworkers, the people I know. But then I learned about Dick and Rick Hoyt - those mofos are my heros, too. Just watch the video. You'll see what I mean.

If I run into trouble on the course, I'll slow down, regain my composure, and think of them. I know I will not be the first Ironman competitor moved to go above and beyond what we think we are because of their story.

You might have noticed, too, that the donation total went up. Thanks to Liam and Mark for making donations recently to the cause. The charity only notified me today that they had gotten two donations from New Jersey. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. My goal to get to $5,000 will continue if I don't make it by the completion of the Ironman. Amid all the gloom and doom of the economy, I feel it is even more necessary for me to finish not one, but both of my goals. I said I would get to $5,000, and I will.

I could really use your help in that area. If you were planning on donating, but haven't - please consider doing so.

It's finally dawning on me - really dawning on me. This whole thing is real!

Tempe is starting to set up for the race. On Thursday, we'll have our first practice swim in the lake. I'll get my race number. I'll register. On Friday, a breakfast for charity runners like myself and then a dinner and race meeting for athletes. Saturday, bag check, bike check and set up and then, Sunday, the race!!!

Mom, grandma and the kids arrive tomorrow. Dad on Friday!

HOLY CRAP, PEOPLE! HOLY CRAP!

It's happening! Excited? Yup. Scared? Yup. Nervous? Yup.

All this training. All for this one day: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run ... let's just hope I can, as they say, "brag for the rest of my life."

Cheers,
Ed