The Hay is in the Barn...number 1982 reporting for duty

Ironman CDA is about three weeks away.  The race seemed so far away 40-weeks ago when I first started to train.  But now as I enter the final stretch, the reality is dawning on me.  Three weeks from this Sunday, I will be standing on the beach waiting to start my 140.6 mile journey.  Crazy right!

Looking back, I can only think in numbers.  How many hours did I log in the pool, on the bike and running in Central Park, Riverside Park, East River drive to prepare for the day.   How many dinner with friends did I miss as I had to get up early (or go to bed early)?  How much have I spent on nutrition, bike supplies, new clothing?  How many pairs of sneakers did I go through? How much weight have I lost?  Yet two numbers stand out right now...1982, my bib number and $7,500 - how much I have raised, thus far, for Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

As you recall, my IM journey has always had a greater purpose than being called an Ironman.  This race is abut two things.  Honoring my father and raising as much as I can for CAF.  Over the past 40-weeks whenever I thought doing an IM was crazy (several times), or when doubts about my ability crept in (many times), these two factors kept driving my forward.  

So as I enter my the taper stage of my training, I have done the work, and now hope to enjoy as someone said to me was like "graduation day."  

More from CDA soon...