Ironman Week: Updated Frequently...

UPDATE 9/7: Tidying up loose ends...

Well, most of the athletes are getting ready to roll, so in case anybody's still out there in blogland, this will be my last pre-Ironman post. I hope to post my own race report Saturday sometime, but it's a crazy weekend so it could come Monday.

You can track athletes live all day at www.ironmanlive.com - just plug in a number and it'll tell you how splits are going for that athlete.

Athletes:
Erin: #102
Bob (Brazo): #1402
Pharmie: #2023
Steve in a Speedo: #386
Stu: #1258
Wil: #2169, wearing Black & White 2XU Trisuit
IM Able: #53
RunBubbaRun: #1317Tri-Dummy: #748
JWM: #831

Madisonions - we're getting together to have dinner on 9/18. Any and all are welcome. I'll have a dedicated post for it next week, but just planting that seed now -

Have a great race, everybody. Can't wait for the race reports!

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One last thing...

The week starts getting crazy now, and many of you will be traveling Wednesday or Thursday - online time will be a luxury you'll soon not have, if you haven't lost it already. In case you're still out there, IMWI '07 athletes, just one last thing:

Thank you.

It's been my honor and privilege to follow you mile by mile this year. This virtual playground is a strange thing sometimes - I'm constantly describing my "friends" I've never met to my wife, sharing your stories like I would an old buddy's I just shared beers with. It's an interesting question to ponder why we all keep blogs like this, share ourselves like this, find our mutual spaces like we do - but I'm glad it happens.

Sunday is the celebration of all you've worked for. It's the culmination of all your sacrifices, daydreams, and long-time hopes...not to mention mileage. Ironman is more than a race - you know that by now. In fact, the race seems sometimes the least significant part of it all. But its mysteries are deep, and I can tell you that even having done it once and being in training for it again still two years out, its allure and affect are just as strong and curious and magnificent and brilliant. Ironman transcends the swim, bike, and run, and certainly the athlete who engages it. It's a rare and beautiful thing in life, to partake in something so genuinely larger than yourself.

Your adventure will be a great one, whatever happens. And, with absolutely no melodrama intended, you will not be the same afterwards.

In toe-ing the line, you're doing more than most people. For that, you are timeless.

Go now, Become Ironman.

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