PCB Day 3: R and R day

It's Thursday...two days before the gun goes off. The prescription for today is to take two R's and call the doctor in the morning. That goes for Rest and Relaxation! We did a quick drive through of the course first thing in the morning. Mostly flat, but with a couple of gradual hills and some rolling hills in the middle.

Afterwards, we went back to the Ironman village to try our hand at the Ford Ironman prize booth. At this booth, you get to spin a full-size Ford Escape Hybrid that's sitting on a floating pedestal roulette wheel. Depending on where it lands, you win a prize. After being interviewed by the host, I took my spin and had the excellent fortune of winning the bonus prize, which was a backpack and $20 gift card. Woohoo! This is a great sign of what is to come this weekend! Jo also tried her hand and one a water bottle. Great job Jo!

From PCB Day 3

From PCB Day 3

Shortly after, my sister Jackie and her family arrived. James and Jiannah took a much needed rest, while Jackie joined us back at the village where she too won a $20 gift card. Yay Jackie!

From PCB Day 3

Afterwards we explored the rest of the village and ended up at the Janus Charity tent where they provided free supplies for cheering signs. Jackie and Jo did an excellent job on them, don't you think? :)

From PCB Day 3

From PCB Day 3

From PCB Day 3

From PCB Day 3

From PCB Day 3

MORE PICTURES FROM DAY 3

Finally, we headed back home to our place on the beach, upon which I found out that my GPS tracking device arrived in the mail! It's that little white pager looking thing attached to my race # belt.

From PCB Day 3

If you're interested in tracking my real-time minute-by-minute position on race day, this little box will be transmitting to the following URL for your web browser:

http://www.trackmyathlete.com/vemap.aspx?name=026919

For you iPhone and Blackberry users, the PDA browser link is:

http://www.trackmyathlete.com/pda.aspx?name=026919

MORE PICTURES FROM DAY 3 HERE



Enjoy and wish me luck !!!

PCB Day 2: Locked and Loaded!

It's Wednesday! Today is the day the Ironman event officially kicks off. We started it by doing an early morning run for about 50 minutes. Easy pace, no pushing to hard as I have to save the legs for Saturday. Afterwards, we mosey'd over to the Ironman Village so that I could check-in and get my race number and other misc. items.

From PCB Day 2

Afterwards, I headed over to the Active Release Technique booth to get some professional treatment to stretch and loosen the muscles so that they can be limber and flexible come race day.

From PCB Day 2

Next we went over to pick up my bike. I shipped it ahead last week, and all I have to do is pick it up on site at the Tri Bike Transport booth.

From PCB Day 2

Our place is only a 1/2 mile away from the Ironman Village, and since the rental car didn't have a bike rack, it was easy enough to ride my bike back so that I could get it in order.

From PCB Day 2

Back home, I pulled out the contents of my Ironman bag. As you can see, they put your name on the race bib so that spectators can cheer for you by name when they see you on course...nice touch! Another thing to note, see all the bags? Those are for me to insert various equipment needed during each stage of the race when I transition to the next sport. Needless to say, this sport requires you to manage a lot of "stuff". It can be pretty daunting, and Jo and I definitely incorporate a "checklist" system whenever we're at such an event.

From PCB Day 2

After a light snack, I took my 19 pound black stallion out for a training ride to get her (and myself) loosened up before race day. Bike and rider checked out ok!

From PCB Day 2

From PCB Day 2

And that about wraps up Day 2. Tomorrow Jo and I do a drive-thru of the bike course and run course, so I can get an idea of what I'm up against for this Saturday.

MORE PICTURES FROM DAY 2 HERE

1st Day in Panama City Beach

We finally made it! Our first day here in Panama City Beach (PCB) was pretty mellow. Got here about 11AM and was hungry as a horse! So we decided to stop by a local pizza place and fill up on some white dough with tomatoes and meat. Let the carb-load begin!

From PCB Day 1

From PCB Day 1

Along the way, we saw other athletes who were already in town as well and were on the streets training.

From PCB Day 1

It will be my turn to put in a little training time when my bike arrives tomorrow. We also saw that some of the preliminary setup of the Ironman Village was underway...exciting!

From PCB Day 1

Next we checked into our condo which sits right on the beach.

From PCB Day 1

After an all-niter of traveling, it was time for some rest and relaxation. So we spent the remainder of the afternoon as beach-combers, and enjoyed the view of a Panama City Beach sunset.

From PCB Day 1

From PCB Day 1

MORE PICTURES FROM DAY 1 HERE:


Bright and early tomorrow morning for a 1-hour run...then go pick up my bike and ride for about 30 minutes. Gotta remind the muscles that there's some hard work that lies ahead in a few days.

Off To See The Wizard...

Well...we're off to see the wizard. Leaving a little early to adjust to the 3-hour time difference. As we wait for the shuttle to arrive, I can't help but reminisce about what we started just over 13 months ago. This journey has been so amazing, and I almost don't want it to end. But destiny must be fulfilled, and so bravely I go to finish what we started so courageously.

It is said that a journey of 1000 leagues begins with but a single step. For me, it will be 140.6 miles...2.4 in the water, 112 on my bike, and 26.2 on my feet. It's been a great journey getting to this, one of my ultimate goals. And all along the way, I have so many people to thank for having supported me and keeping me going so that I get to that mystical place called the finish line.

Wish me luck and God speed...

VIDEO SHOW: My Journey To The Ironman from tri dude on Vimeo.

Recap of my yearlong journey of training and racing to get to the Ironman.