The Pre-Game Show

"B.B" - You have to place reflective markers on your running gear for the night, so I thought I would add my own special touch to them (Brian Balmes).

Friday was a day where I was able to totally relax and not worry about anything. I basically just stayed off my feet and went to the movies. It was another awesome day here in Tempe. However, last night I started to get a bit nervous. I spent some time going over (and back over my special needs bags etc.) I then went to the pre-race meeting. I figured that it would ease my mind but it made me more nervous! I picked up Kelli, my sister-in-law at the airport at 11 pm MT so we did not get a bunch of sleep last night.

This morning, we started off early with having to do the practice swim. Let me tell you, that water was COLD at 61 degrees. I did get used to it after the initial shock of the cold settles in and you take a few warm up strokes, I settled on down. I think the cold water will present a faster than normal swim just to get the heck out of it.

Once we finished the swim, I took my transition bags and my bike to check in. I realized that I had misplaced my Oakley sunglasses. Well, I have had them for over 5 years and I had debated buying some new ones but now is the time. Kelli and I went to the local outdoor mall to have lunch and walked right by an Oakley store. Done deal. Got a new pair, and glad that I did.

Now it's a matter of just resting my mind and my body..more to come tonight as I carry you thru my thoughts leading up to the night before the race.

Check In Day

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emmerson

What an awesome day today! I got up fairly early as my body is still trying to adjust to the Mountain Time Zone. I had some breakfast (ok a LOT of breakfast) and headed downtown to Tempe Town Lake Park. The park is "ground zero" for this weeks events. Everything was still being set up, so I had some peaceful moments alongside the lake to reflect and take some pictures. As soon as the IM store opened, I went ahead and purchased some items. Many say that you should not purchase items until you finish the event, but I wanted to make sure that they had my size left. I still will buy some items on Monday that have "Finisher" on them (I hope).

Once I finished up at the store I got in line to "check in". This is where they give you your race packet, your armband, and all sorts of other items. While in line, I met up with a few friends from the ATL and we went out to drive the bike course. Once I got my bike from the transport company, I went out for a nice ride to get a feel for the roads. It's a great bike route and I just can't wait to get started.

One item that is very humbling is the large support group that surrounds me. Of course as anyone would expect, your family and close group of training friends send you words of encouragement. However, it's the larger circle of friends, coworkers, folks from church who have some concept or understanding of what I am about to embark on that is amazing.

Sunset

Thankful as the Sun Sets

As the sun sets here in Tempe, I wanted to take the time to think about how thankful I am...During the race on Sunday, there will be times where I will start to loose focus, and everything will hurt. That's when it is important to refocus my mental strength on things that are important to me..things I am thankful for. Here are just a few that I'd like to share:

1. I am thankful for God for providing me with all the many gifts and talents.
2. I am thankful for my amazing wife Stacy who I miss so much and wish she was here.
3. I am thankful for my perfect little girl Finley, who I miss
4. I am thankful for a great circle of friends and family who I know are thinking about me and praying for me this week.

Overall, the travels today were pain free. Once I got to Tempe, I picked up the rental car and came on over to the condo. I found a grocery store and picked up some breakfast and lunch items for the rest of the week. The condo is perfect as it's right by the campus of ASU. I am only 1/2 mile away from the lake that we will be swimming in. As I drove from the airport over to the condo, I crossed the bridge and could see the massive Ironman structure.

You can "feel" the buzz in the air for sure. As Coach Gerry told me, there will be those crazy folks riding for hours and doing all sorts of crazy things. Boy was he right. As I pulled into the condo, there were a few guys already decked out in race gear going out for a long ride. Seriously? Oh well, I am here to run my race and I will remain focused on that.

Brian will start his chemo tomorrow, and I will start the process of checking in for IMAZ. I am praying for his fast recovery and I know he and others are praying for me to have a strong day on Sunday....

Just set up the ability to post to the blog via the iPhone so now I can update on the go! More to come tomorrow.

It's Getting Close!

This morning I met with Coach Gerry. Gerry has been an awesome coach for me this year on many levels. Every athlete needs something a little different when you decide on a coach. For me, Gerry fit all of my needs. His coaching style was the perfect blend of hard work, and a good balance of recovery. Furthermore, his mental focus and strenth is off the charts and that is the key reason that I wanted to work with him. I wanted to improve this area of my training and in life. I have learned so much with Gerry, and I am thankful for his approach and getting to know him on a professional and personal level.

It was exactly 9 months ago this week when I met Gerry at the Starbucks @ Windward to discuss the IM journey. Now, we sit here to reflect on a great year and hopefully a successful IM!! What a year!

LIVESTRONG - A time to reflect

Brian - This one is for you my friend. I know you say that it's about my personal journey, and I agree with that, but the events of this week are to magnify the positive impact you have had in my life and others just like me. You inspire me and so many others!! LIVESTRONG!!

About 4 years ago, I first met Brian at the Lifetime Fitness cycle class. Stacy and I had just joined the gym as Windward Athletic Club shut it's doors..and that's the best thing that every happened to us. I thought the cycle instructor (Brian) was a super intense guy. He made mention that he was a triathlete and I thought that was sort of cool. As I got to know Brian on a personal level, I learned that he was an Ironman and I knew that I had to do it. Over the past 4 years as I continued to develop a friendship with Brian and others within our LTF Alpharetta group, it was clear to Stacy and I that this group was special. We continue to push each other on personal and fitness levels and I can't say enough about this amazing group.

As my training has come to an end, I think it's natural for all endurance competitors to stop and reflect on the training for the year. My personal journey started back in February. It's hard to imagine that I have had focused training for 9 months. When I first signed up with Coach Gerry, I was walk/running to keep my heart rate under 140. This kept my pace at an average of around 11:30/min miles. What a difference 9 months makes.

My hope is that each of you will enjoy following me this week and share in my personal journey thru my Ironman week.